February 2013 LifeTIMES magazine

LifeTIMES

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

February 2013

God’s Valentine Gift God’s Valentine gift of love to us Was not a bunch of flowers; It wasn’t candy, or a book…

To while away the hours…

His gift was to become a man, So He could freely give His sacrificial love for us, So you and I could live.

He gave us sweet salvation, and Instruction, good and true— To love our friends and enemies And love our Savior, too.

So as we give our Valentines, Let’s thank our Lord and King; The reason we have love to give Is that He gave everything.

—Joanna Fuchs

by Pastoral Associate Karen Greimel

F

ebruary always reminds me of love! Not only do we celebrate Valentine’s Day, but I also celebrate my wedding anniversary…27 years this month. Stores are filled with everything pink and red, the media bombards us, and florists are in a frenzy. But I have wondered…how have we moved so far away from the actual history of Valentine’s Day to candy hearts, cards, and roses?

I’m not saying this celebration of love is bad. It’s wonderful to recognize those we love, but are we keeping it in perspective?

It is St. Valentine who has been adopted as the patron saint of lovers, but the feast of St. Valentine has nothing to do with red boxes filled with candy, candlelight dinners, or roses.

The Bible records the greatest love story ever written—God’s unconditional love for us which resulted in Him sending His son to die on the cross. The book of John declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

St. Valentine was a third-century martyr; he was beheaded for his faith on February 14 in the year 269. Unfortunately, history recorded little about him. What we do know is that he died for love, but not the kind of love we celebrate. He died because he loved God more than life.

—continues on Page 8

Veer

reprinted with permission from poemsource.com

God So Loved

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

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 spirit 2-6

adult 7-9

worship Saturdays at 5:30 pm with Holy Communion Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 am with Holy Communion the first and third Sundays Third Sunday worship at 9:30 am on February 17 at Good Samaritan Society Ambassador in New Hope Third Monday Healing Service at 6:30 pm on February 18 in Lord of Life’s Prayer Room Third Wednesday worship at 2 pm on February 20 at Rose Arbor Assisted Living in Maple Grove

February 2/3 Preaching: Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Joyful Noise (8:30 am), Canticle Choir (9:45 and 11 am)

God Grace Gratitude Generosity

generosity children youth family (cyf) 10 11-14 contact us 15 pastoral staff Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Senior Pastor, x105, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Todd Buegler, Pastor, Children Youth Family, x109, todd@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor, Adult Ministries, x104, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. David Lippitt, Pastor, Congregational Care, x122, davidl@lordoflife.org Rev. Dave McCarty, Pastor, Outreach and Mission, x147, davem@lordoflife.org Karen Greimel, Pastoral Associate, x144, kareng@lordoflife.org

Thank you to Lord of Life’s Canticle Choir and Orchestra (group photo on next page) for the December performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio.

Soloists include (left to right) soprano Dana Brinton, bass Deric Craig, mezzosoprano Amy Cerepak, tenor Peter Middlecamp, alto Val Lari, bass Joseph Ellickson, with conductor Lee Fuchs. Bravo to all!

February 9/10 Preaching: Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Canticle Choir (8:30 and 9:45 am), Bel Canto (all three services) Ash Wednesday, February 13, 11 am & 7 pm Services with Imposition of Ashes

Special Music: Lee Fuchs/11 am, Canticle Choir/7 pm

Preaching: Pastor David Lippitt

In Fellowship Hall, soup luncheon follows the 11 am service and soup supper precedes the 7 pm service

February 16/17 Preaching: Pastor Todd Buegler Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: New Life Ensemble and Preludes February 21 Midweek Lenten Worship, 7 pm Preceded by soup supper in Fellowship Hall

February 23/24 Preaching: Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Special Music Saturday: Praise Band Sunday: Soloist (8:30 am), Canticle Choir (9:45 and 11 am) February 28 Midweek Lenten Worship, 7 pm Preceded by soup supper in Fellowship Hall

Please note worship & music schedules may be subject to change.

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

spirit This is the second article in a series of three on Lutheran liturgy—

The Word

ash wednesday february 13

by Alice Woodard, Director of Worship and LifeGARDEN

L

ast month, we took a look at the first part of the worship service, from the Welcome through the Hymn of Praise (or, on Sundays, through the Prayer of the Day). This month we will look at the second part of our service, the Word.

The Season of Lent

by Lynn Leisen, Faith in the Home

In this portion of the service, we remember our history as a church. Each week we read from either the Old or New Testament, the Psalms and one of the four gospels. We normally follow a prescribed list of readings known as the Revised Common Lectionary, which is used by many denominations. This is a three-year repeating cycle. This year we are following the Narrative Lectionary, which focuses on some of the important stories in the scriptures, from the story of Creation through the story of Pentecost.

T

The sermon is based on the scripture readings and is meant to proclaim the Gospel by setting the meaning of salvation through Christ in the context of present hopes, fears, and needs. The grounds for this important part of the service can be found in Romans 10:5-17, which concludes: “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”

The 40 days of Lent are symbolic of other biblical journeys: Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness; Moses and the Israelites wandering 40 years in the desert; Noah and the 40 days/ nights of rain; Elijah’s journey to Mt. Horeb; Jonah in 40 days of penance with the people of Nineveh. Fasting or other sacrifices are often practiced during Lent to help us remember Jesus’ great sacrifice for us. A visual sacrifice can be made in remembrance as well. Remove a decoration, clock, or piece of furniture from your home or office during Lent. Along with every Thursday midweek worship with soup suppers preceding, this year’s Lenten dates are:

The messages of the scripture readings and the sermon are reinforced with the sermon hymn (on Sundays), the confession of faith (Apostles’ Creed) and the Prayers of the Church. In the prayers we offer petitions on behalf of ourselves and others in our community and around the world.

Next month we will look at the third part of the worship service, the Meal, or Holy Communion.

he word lent comes from a Latin word meaning “springtime.” During the season of Lent, we awaken from the cold winter and move from darkness into light. It is a time of preparation and nurture for Christian growth. The season begins on Ash Wednesday and is 40 days long, ending on Easter. Sundays are considered “little Easters,” and are not counted in the 40 days. Ashes are traced on foreheads on Ash Wednesday as reminders of sins and short lives.

Ash Wednesday Palm Saturday/Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Saturday/Sunday

February 13 March 23/24 March 28 March 29 March 30/31

See Page 5 Lenten Prayer Experience article and visit lordoflife.org/lent for midweek Lenten service information.

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

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Lord of Life Lives Christ Together baptisms December 1

Lawrence Louis Benedict, Jr.

Kaiya Elaine Johnson

Logan Eric Myrkle

December 26

Gabriel Washington Ainsworth Williams

Carol Dell and family at the death of her father

December 29

Lucy Faith Day

Olivia Rae Perpich

Cheryl Gilbertson and family at the death of her mother

December 2

Lu Patricia Hoffman

December 30

Emma Nicole Hanninen

December 15

Brice Christopher Tukua

Caleb Allan Miller

At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. The next baptism class is on Saturday, February 9, from 10-11 am; no preregistration is necessary. To schedule a baptism, please call the church office.

December 16

Raymond Dennis Alcott

Blake Leland Rafferty

Kade John Robert Robertson

Peyton Christa Tschida December 23

Parker Morgan Baltes

Brielle Marie Bjornstad

Soren Robert Swanson December 24

Joseph William Gubbins

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.

Nancy Larson and family at the death of her father Tom Leisen and family at the death of his father Pam Marxen and family at the death of her father Christine Murray and family at the death of her father Gary Nelson and family at the death of his father Bruce Palmer and family at the death of his father

Colleen Anderson and family at the death of her mother

Kurt Palmer and family at the death of his father

Mary Backstrom and family at the death of her brother-in-law

Mary Ann Schumacher and family at the death of her brother

Jim Deger and family at the death of his mother

Tina Shipley and family at the death of her uncle

Thank you to the Zahra Thomas family for sharing this ‘touching’ photo from her baptismal day.

Would you like to share an original photo or artwork or poetry or a God moment with the Lord of Life family of faith? We would love to share it in a future issue as space allows; you are encouraged to contact LifeTIMES Editor Bev Mello.

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

spirit

Save the date: Saturday, March 2—

Gina Thomas and family at the death of her mother Susan Walden and family at the death of her father Michael Winegar and family at the death of his brother-in-law Linda Worel and family at the death of her mother

weddings December 7 Christina Siemers & Casey Pflueger December 8 Julie Hubbs & Joseph Sperling December 28 Anna Sumpmann & Robert Olson

welcome to new members Harold Leyse Casey & Bridgette Niezwaag Lon & Kathryn Schmidt Ted & Jessica Williams with Ella, Eva, and Gabriel Membership at Lord of Life means you make a commitment to be an active participant in congregational life. The expectation of not only new members— but all members—is to worship regularly, grow in faith, serve others, and support the church & its programs financially.

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

Spending Time with God

by Joni Tardiff, Prayer Ministries Leader

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ord of Life’s Prayer School and Prayer Ministries Team are hosting a Lenten Prayer Experience on Saturday, March 2. What is the Lenten Prayer Experience? It is taking time in our busy lives to be with God in quiet reflection and prayer. It is a time to say thank you to God, to share thoughts and worries, to ask for forgiveness, to lift up the concerns of others, and to be still in the presence of God. A continental breakfast will be available beginning at 9:30 am, and the Prayer Experience will be from 10-11:30 am in the sanctuary. We will provide an atmosphere conducive to prayer along with written guidelines and suggestions for directing your prayer time.

Prayer ministers will be available to pray with you (intercessory prayer) throughout the prayer time. Written prayer request cards will also be provided. All ages are encouraged to attend this event. There will be special resources available for children. No pre-registration is required.

Come and be refreshed and renewed!

February 22 and February 23—

Rekindle the Fire:

strategies to nurture the spark in relationships

T

his seminar is for couples at any stage of their relationship who struggle with finding resolution to their points of disconnection.

It is most helpful with couples who wish to establish a more secure emotional connection with one another, but find themselves at an impasse in certain key moments. It may help you and your partner to move away from cycles of conflict, increase emotional responsiveness, and rekindle desire and affection. Couples will learn about romantic attachment style, three stages of a relationship, mindfulness techniques, and more.

Rekindle the Fire will include mini-presentations and structured periods of interaction between partners. No one is required to share any personal experiences with the group. Cost is $25 per couple for materials and meals/ snacks. The registration deadline is February 20. Dates for this couples seminar are February 22 from 7-9 pm and February 23 from 9 am-4 pm held here at Lord of Life. Facilitators for the day will be Pastor David and Linda Lippitt. Dr. Lippitt is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice. He and Linda have been married for 42 years and have experienced the power of these principles in their marriage. Questions?

Please contact Pastor David.

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

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Luther Seminary Resource

by Joan Freeberg, Luther Seminary Leader

D

o you want to enhance your Life Long Learning at Lord of Life? Discover EntertheBible.org! EntertheBible.org is an online resource from Luther Seminary that explores all 66 books of the Bible in an interactive and unique way! Anyone can visit the site and use its resources for free.

christian life Christian Life groups meet at Lord of Life on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm (contact Merle and Michelle Waldron at mmwaldron@comcast. net). The 20/30 Vision group meets on Wednesdays from 7:30-9 pm (contact Susan Listberger susan_listberger@ cargill.com). 20/30 Vision meets offsite on the last Wednesday of the month. For more details, visit lordoflife. org/2030vision.

This easy-to-use resource will assist you in increasing your understanding of the people, places, and events of the Bible. Luther Seminary’s nationally recognized faculty and staff have created this multimedia website to offer deeper exploration of every book of the Bible. You will find interpretations of certain passages, explanations of people and places, podcasts, blog posts, essays and video clips to enrich your scriptural journey.

You may even submit questions to Luther’s theological experts in a feature called “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Bible but Were Afraid to Ask.” Check out EntertheBible.org today!

life long learning at lord of life Sometimes it may be hard to follow through on our plans to intentionally focus on our relationship with God during Lent.

Take a class during Session 4 and let the regular schedule class help you. Session 4 begins the week of February 17.

Visit lordoflife.org/L5 for more course details and to register.

Questions? Contact Karen Nelson.

th ere is

h ope every Tu esday at

Celebrate Reco very 6

Experience Hope

E

ach week at Celebrate Recovery participants are filled with HOPE. That hope comes from learning, believing, and knowing that Jesus, our one true Higher Power, knows us by name and desires a 1-on-1 relationship with us regardless of our past. Hope comes from an openness and willingness to experience change in our lives, even if the change is difficult. Hope comes from knowing that we can’t do it on our own—we need God’s power. Hope comes from expecting a change in our lives— we don’t want to quit before miracles happen. With God’s help, the changes we desire are just steps away!

Come and experience hope for yourself at Celebrate Recovery, every Tuesday evening beginning with dinner from 6-6:30 pm, followed by programming and small groups, ending with fellowship at 8:30 pm. Childcare is provided for children under age 5, with programming for K-6th grade through Celebration Station, and 7-12th grade through the landing. Questions? Contact Michelle Welinski or Pastor David Lippitt.

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

...older, wiser, or Lutheran?

Even if you are not, you will be warmly welcomed at all of the OWLs’ events. Sign up for all activities is on the bulletin board near the welcome desk in the narthex. Visit lordoflife.org/owls for more photos as well as stories of recent events.

Questions about this vibrant seniors’ ministry? Contact Joyce or Gordy Martin directly at grjsmartin@ embarqmail.com or 763.497.7355.

adult

acts 29

urban ministries

This summer the Acts 29 mission trip will go back to Minot, ND helping people rebuild their homes which were damaged in the 2011 floods.

Dates for the mission trip are July 21-27. Watch for sign-up and an informational meeting this spring. If you want more information, please contact Merle and Michelle Waldron at mmwaldron@comcast.net.

Are you interested in being part of a small group?

Are you interested in urban ministries? Come be a part of a brainstorming session to begin an urban ministry. Lord of Life is currently connecting with St. Olaf Lutheran in north Minneapolis and Bethany Lutheran in south Minneapolis. We will meet on Sunday, February 17 (following the 9:45 am worship service or following the 11 am worship service), in Room 142.

Valentine Party, February 7: “Hearts and Humor” with guest ventriloquist Kevin Doely with comedy storytelling and music, figures and puppets. Freewill donation lunch in Fellowship Hall begins at 12 noon. Bring a friend and share laughter and fellowship.

Worship at Rose Arbor, February 20 at 2 pm State Capitol and Raptor Center, February 21, leaving church at 10 am Service Project, February 22: Labeling LifeTIMES begins at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall Faith, Food & Fellowship, March 7: Beginning at 10 am, let’s “Make a joyful noise...sing away the winter with David Frank.”

101 Market, March 21: Get ready for spring by planting a 12-16” pot with instructions from the gardening experts at the 101 Market. Bring your own pot; soil will be provided; pay only for the garden plants you use. Pots will be stored at the greenhouse until mid-May when you can pick them up and put them outside. Cost is $2; leave church at 10 am and return about 2:30 pm. Lunch on your own at Rockwoods Grill.

There is no Faith, Food & Fellowship in April due to Easter.

Save the Date, April 18: Skyrocket Organ Museum and Horse Farm, more details to come!

Mittens on a Mission

M

ittens on a Mission is on a mission to make more mittens!

On February 9 from 9 am-12 noon from cutting to sewing to ringing the bell at a completed pair, there will be something for everyone to do. Bring your sewing machine and/or a good pair of fabric scissors. Donations of soft fleece, wool remnants, and wool-blend pre-washed (shrunk) sweaters will be needed that day, too.

Over 250 mittens from sweaters, fleece, and wool fabrics donated by Lord of Life members have already been made and distributed.

These warm mittens are lovingly given to those who are homeless in the Twin Cities.

Can’t come that day, but want to help? Please contact Donna Rizner at dcrizner@aol.com for directions and the pattern to make your mittens at home.

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

save the date Lord of Life’s men’s retreat will be May 1719 at Heartwood in Trego, WI. More details to come but for now— please save the date!

adult ministries Jane Bergstrom, Administrative Assistant, x142, janeb@lordoflife.org Karen Nelson, Administrative Assistant, x138, karenn@lordoflife.org Michelle Welinski, Missions/Ministries/Pastoral Care/Wedding Supervisor, x118, michellew@lordoflife.org

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adult

As introduced in January’s LifeTIMES, the forty-day journey continues—

Faithfully FIT!

by Beth Kanthak, Health & Wellness Leader

H

appy February! Many of us think of February as the ‘love’ month, but when we look at our total health and being Faithfully FIT!, love should be something we are thinking and doing every single day. God is love and he has called us to love.

—continues from cover page

It was also that love of God that sent Jesus to the cross! Never question God’s love, for it’s as unchangeable a part of God as His Holiness. No matter how terrible your sins, God loves you. Were it not for the love of God, none of us would ever have a chance for eternal life.

But God is love and His love for us is everlasting!

So no matter what the world may try to tell us, God’s love is the foundation for all other loves. We as Christians are called to “love as the Lord loved us.” That is selflessly, sacrificially, and to offer ourselves to others as God offered Christ to us.

Joanna Fuchs’ poem (see cover) honors the love of Christ on Valentine’s Day. It’s a true celebration of Valentine’s Day when we can honor God’s love for us and our love for both God and others.

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Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 There is great joy in simplifying how to live each day…walk in love. So here’s our daily checklist: •

Learn love.

•

Show love.

•

Pursue love.

•

Be love.

•

Be passionate about sharing love.

•

Be intentional about giving love.

•

Constantly think about love.

•

Let love be your guide.

•

Make love your greatest quest.

•

Make love your first priority.

•

Make love your strongest ambition.

be

active for the

purpose of

godliness

Sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? God shows us this kind of love every day! Wouldn’t it be nice to have the strength and endurance to follow His example? Do you suddenly see how necessary it is that we become FaithfullyFIT!?

If you have questions about the FaithfullyFIT forty-day journey or would like to contact Beth directly, she may be reached at beth@lifefit-coach.com or 763.229.4896.

Beth Kanthak (left) and Mo Orendorff collaborate on Mo’s personal health and wellness plan.

Februar y y2013 Februar 2013“For “Forme metotolive liveisisChrist” Christ”Philippians Philippians1:21a 1:21a

adult

My Journey

by Mo Orendorff

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ecently I’ve received such wonderful compliments about how I look, and that’s great.

Yet the real change, the real difference in me isn’t on the outside, but rather it’s what Christ has done for me on the inside. For the first time in over four decades I can honestly say that I love myself—all of myself. Gone is the body hatred, the shame, the guilt about not measuring up to somebody else’s idea of perfect. I have given up waging war on my body—and it is sooooo freeing. I have finally come to realize that I was never broken in the first place; that God did not make a mistake when He created me. It was taking on somebody else’s (my dad’s) belief that I was broken and believing it myself for so many years that led to decades of struggling with an eating disorder; decades of not truly engaging in life and living it to the fullest; decades of obsessing about food; decades of missing out on the here and now and putting things off until I was ‘x’ number of pounds so that I could be lovable and acceptable. Such a tragic waste.

But I have nothing but compassion for that me. My eating disorder has allowed me to truly find myself and I love what I’ve found. I don’t suddenly think I’m perfect (there is no perfect) but I love the me that was there all the time—the me that God created me to be.

to beth— Thank you so much for your part in

I know it may sound like a platitude but I now truly believe that in order to recover from an eating disorder one has to start with loving oneself. When I first heard that I thought “yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah...I’ll start loving myself when I’ve lost 80 pounds...how can I possibly love myself looking the way I look.” But having achieved the weight loss by putting God at the center of my recovery, it is the only way. Despite what I thought for years and years and years, it really isn’t about the weight—it’s about self-love, taking care of myself, making myself a priority in my life, honoring God in everything I do and think. And when I do those things it has such a positive effect on my self-esteem that food is just food. Food is now something to nourish my body, another way of taking care of myself. I don’t need to abuse it.

my recovery.

When I see others struggling with their weight and using food for emotional reasons, I just wish I could give them a little taste (no pun intended) of what I feel now. To somehow convince them that going on another diet isn’t the answer unless you figure out what’s going on on the inside which makes you want to eat when you’re not hungry or not eat when you’re starving or eat so much that you think you’re going to explode or over-exercise until you damage your joints. You have to allow God into the mix because He is the only one who can help. If anyone ever doubts that God still performs miracles today, they need only take a look into my previously messed up head and see the peace and joy and calm and love that reside there today. God is good!

has enabled

I feel so passionately about the changes that Christ has affected in me that I just want to shout it out to anybody who’ll listen. ;-)

You are part of the grace with which God has blessed me and in turn this me to heal and reclaim the joy that He always intended me to have. You are a blessing to so many.

—from mo

Thank you to Mo for sharing her journey with us in LifeTIMES. Mo has worked with Beth Kanthak through one of Lord of Life’s Exercise Daily...Walk with the Lord classes.

Februar y y2013 Februar 2013“For “Forme metotolive liveisisChrist” Christ”Philippians Philippians1:21a 1:21a

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generosity

december 2012 budget year-to-date Actual

Budget Difference

Total member contributions $3,071,061 $3,021,500

$49,561

All other

($1,718)

$197,916 $199,634

Total receipts

$3,268,978 $3,221,134

$47,844

Lord of Life’s 4G Network Expands

This fall, our generosity campaign for the 2013 budget focused on the 4G Network:

God Grace Gratitude

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —2 Corinthians 9:11

O

Generosity

ur gratitude and generosity flow from God and the overwhelming grace He gives us each day. As we continue to focus on encouraging a culture of generosity here at Lord of Life, we want to broaden our definition of generosity. Being generous not only means giving money, it also means having a bountiful spirit in all that we do.

Lord of Lifers are known for abundantly sharing with our communities both time and the gifts God has so graciously given. Do you help out in your child’s classroom? Serve as a youth sports coach? Volunteer at a food shelf or other community organization?

Then you are living out the call God has given each one of us to help those around us and to be generous with our time.

A culture of generosity is also about how we treat one another. When confronted with a grumpy cashier at Cub, a driver who cuts you off, a teenager who talks back—be gracious in your response. After all, forgiveness is a generous act too.

However you serve, wherever you go, whomever you encounter, remember that you are living the abundant life that God wants for us all. And you are a shining example of Lord of Life contributing to the greater community around us. Be generous with your time, be generous with your attitude, and be generous in your dealings with all the people you meet each day.

Lord of Life Weekly Giving — December 2012 $180,000 $160,000 $140,000 $120,000 $100,000 $80,000

finance staff Colleen Anderson, Finance Director, x103, colleen@lordoflife.org Lenora Little, Finance & Stewardship Assistant, x139, lenoral@lordoflife.org Sandie Saar, Finance Assistant, x101, sandie@lordoflife.org

$60,000 $40,000 $20,000 $0

12/2 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30

Actual $63,926 $70,735 $70,123 $160,902 $103,537 $88,005 $88,005 Budget $88,005 $88,005 $88,005

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

First Communion for Fifth Graders

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t Lord of Life, First Communion instruction is given to 5th graders and their parents. This year’s instruction takes place on Saturday, March 16, 9-11:30 am and Monday, March 18, 6-8:30 pm. Watch the mail for a letter that will require your response as to which session you will be attending. Students will receive Holy Communion on Saturday/Sunday, April 6/7 at the service they usually attend. For more information visit lordoflife.org/firstcommunion.

7-8th Graders on Sundays (6-7 pm)/Wednesdays (4:30-5:30 or 6:30-7:30 pm) February 3/6

Hey, God are you there?

February 10/20

What God wants…

February 24/27

Off the Hook…

children youth family

Church School Ministry Leader Appreciation is February 2 and 3.

Stop by the Leadership Center for some refreshments and treats as we thank you for your dedication to the Church School ministry.

9th Graders on Sundays (6-7 pm)/Wednesdays (4:30-5:30 or 6:30-7:30 pm) February 3/6

Your role in the church

February 10/20

Jesus Ethic: Judging

February 24/27

Jesus Ethic: Homelessness

C3 Saturday is February 2 from 9 am-7 pm. If you are still looking to fulfill a retreat for C3 this is the place to be. Cost is $52.

emergency foodshelf network

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The Healthy Food Drive final results are in—Lord of Life donated 2,318 pounds of groceries to EFN, which will serve over 1,875 meals. Thank you also for your generosity in donating to Joy of Giving in December. EFN totals for 2012 included 189 volunteers, 567 hours served, and 23,809 individuals served. As we continue to find out, the need to replenish foodshelves is great; we see small acts of kindness can achieve huge results.

Lord of Life will collect cans of soup February 2-12 for this year’s Souper Bowl of Caring. All donations will be given to the CROSS (Christians Reaching Out in Social Service) food shelf.

We are always looking for volunteers to help out at EFN. The next opportunity is February 4 from 4-7 pm. Sign up at lordoflife.org/efn or contact Jane Bergstrom.

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summer 2013

Summer 2013

F

ebruary’s snow may fly—and the time may fly by as well— before you know it summer’s here! As Lord of Life families begin making plans for the summer of 2013, the following faith opportunities may be a good fit. Registration for summer events will open on February 16/17. Questions? Feel free to visit lordoflife.org/summer or stop in the CYF office downstairs for more details on any of these events.

family camp is back!

Lord of Life families will be loading up the family trucksters and heading out to St. Andrew Village again this summer! We will be there from August 2-4; put it on your calendars now! We will be staying at the Village (motel-style cabins) and having lots of great family time together as well as activities for kids, discussion and Bible study for parents, campfires, worship and lots of fun and games. Families with kids of all ages are welcome! Watch for more information coming this spring. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Todd.

summer church school

Dates are May 26-September 1 (during Sunday services only), children will begin in worship with their families. After the Gospel reading, children will go with staff to hear a children’s sermon and participate in a music-filled, childfriendly worship experience. The theme will correspond to themes in worship and Gospel readings.

Children age 3 to entering grade 3 in fall 2013. No registration and no cost.

pre–k vbs: kingdom rock Young children (ages 3 by the start date of VBS through entering kindergarten) are invited to a royal adventure! They will learn what it means to Stand Strong for

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God, rotating through stations that include Epic Bible Adventures, Royal Theatre, Imagination Station, The King’s Kitchen, and Tournament Games. Two identical camps will run from 9 am-noon, June 24-27 and July 8-11.

Get involved! Vacation Bible School (VBS) is run by many caring volunteers. Parents, caring adults and junior high/senior high students—please sign up to be a part of this exciting event.

adventure week

Children will learn about ways to live out their faith through active play, Bible lessons, and field trips to various places around the Twin Cities. For children who have completed grades 1-4 in spring 2013.

Dates are June 10-14. Time is from 9 am-3 pm. Cost is to be decided.

Adventure Week is capped at 30 students.

half pint camp

At Shores of St. Andrew in New London, MN, focus on faith, have fun, and grow in your relationships with friends and God. Children who have completed grades 1-3 in spring 2013. Dates are July 8-10 or July 10-12. Cost is $210 with a $75 non-refundable deposit due at registration.

elementary camp

At Shores of St. Andrew in New London, MN, elementary camp is a fun, faith-filled, 5-night/6-day time where you build relationships with friends, experience campfire, worship, games, swimming and learning about God. Children who have completed grades 3-5 in spring 2013. Dates are July 7-12. Cost is $405 with $125 non-refundable deposit due at registration.

elementary vbs

Faith Alive! “Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 In VBS, faith is nurtured through play, music, games, crafts, Bible stories and more. Three sessions are offered; identical material is covered at each session. Each week will end on Thursday with a Root Beer Float Night when children share all that they have learned throughout the week. For children entering grades 1-6 in fall 2013.

Time is from 9 am-3 pm. Cost is $45. Week 1 is July 22-25. Week 2 is July 29-August 1. Week 3 is August 5-8.

club 56

For youth entering grades 5/6 in the fall of 2013, Club 56 starts off the summer on Tuesday, June 11 when we’re headed to Basecamp

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

with high & low ropes, rock climbing, and archery. Cost is $20. On Tuesday, July16, Club 56 is going to Valleyfair; cost is $30.

And on August 13, all Club 56ers and their friends are invited to Cascade Bay Waterpark; cost is $20. Questions? Ask Clancy!

junior high camp

We’ll be going to Luther Park in beautiful Danbury, WI. Camp is a high energy, wild week of adventure and faith for jr. highers.

Youth who have completed grades 6-9 in spring 2013. Dates are July 7-12. Cost is $430, $200 non-refundable deposit due at registration.

summer stretch

Summer Stretch is a weekly program where junior high youth experience service, recreation, Bible study, and worship. For youth who have completed grades 6-9 in spring 2013, sessions meet either on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Wednesdays are June 12, 19, 26 and July 10, 17, 24. Thursdays are June 13, 20, 27 and July 11, 18, 25. Valleyfair is August 1. The cost is to be decided upon with a $125 non-refundable deposit due at registration.

junior high mission trip In partnership with Rockford Urban Ministry, we will work with low-income housing in the Rockford, IL area and help at a local foodshelf. Youth who have completed grades 6-9 in spring 2013. Dates are June 1622. Cost is $360 with $150 non-refundable deposit due at registration.

AWOL-A Work of Love

Each summer, Lord of Life sends groups of sr. highers around the country to work with Habitat for Humanity building homes for low-income families. It’s a powerful way of serving God’s people and never fails to be a

life-changing experience full of community, fun, and hard work! For youth who have completed grades 1012 in spring 2013. There are two trips this summer: June 14-24 to Bozeman, MT and July 13-24 to Charleston, SC. Cost is $415 for Bozeman and $485 for Charleston; $125 deposit due at registration.

children children youth youth family family

third annual cyf fun run/walk!

On Saturday, June 1, all are welcome to participate in a 1 mile or 5k+ run/walk around Rice Lake. Proceeds go to support our summer trips and camps for children and youth. Registration opens March 1!

Come be a part of this time when we explore stories that Jesus told and wanted us to learn lessons from— February 3, 10, 24 Start with worship from 7-7:30 pm then fun, lesson, devotion, group game and challenge question from 7:30-8:30 pm

Sr. High Sundays!

Join us on Sundays for worship, building friendships and living our faith—all are welcome!

7 pm is Ecclesia worship then 7:30 pm is Express sr. high youth group time.

Sundays @ 7 pm on February 3, 10, and 24

LiveChat

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ith Elizabeth and/or Raul on Sunday in The Gathering from 9:45–10:45 am and 11–noon, come enjoy coffee, juice, and donuts while we have discussions on life, faith, and the Bible. We want this LiveChat time to be a place where we can seek, live, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are invited to join in!

children youth family (cyf) Amanda Clancy (“Clancy”), Grades 5-6, x106, amandac@lordoflife.org Kirstin Delp, Early Childhood, x113, kirstind@lordoflife.org Raul Garcia III, AiM, Confirmation (C3) and Grades 7-9, x121, raul@lordoflife.org Julie Hagen, AiM, Grades 1-4, x129, julieh@lordoflife.org Heather Hjelmstad, Ministry of Inclusion, x143, heatherh@lordoflife.org Lynn Leisen, Faith in the Home, x107, lynnl@lordoflife.org Elizabeth Pedersen, Grades 10-12, x130, elizabethp@lordoflife.org Kim Pietrzak, Childcare, x124, kimp@lordoflife.org Pennie Soppeland, CYF Support, x132, pennies@lordoflife.org Debbie Zaic, CYF Office Manager and Registrar, x128, debz@lordoflife.org

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

club 56

Wednesday, February 20 is snow-tubing at Elm Creek for Club 56 and their friends. Cost is $18 which includes food voucher, lift ticket, tube rental.

Meet at 4:30, leave at 4:45, pickup at 8 pm. On March 28 we head to Brunswick Zone. Cost is $20 for bowling, laser tag, arcade, pizza, pop. Check-in 9 am, check-out 4 pm.

jr. high leadership

We’ll meet on Sunday, February 10, at 5 pm to help plan our jr. high ministry for EXPLORE and other events.

still openings

There are still openings for both the senior high and junior high ski trips. See Elizabeth or Raul or visit Lord of Life’s website for more details!

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children youth family

What color is your reindeer’s nose?!

February Book Picks:

February Bible Verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (NRSV) John 3:16

Happy February!

by Angie Schiebel, Director of Karing Kingdom Preschool

A Kiss Means I Love You

by Kathryn Madeline Allen So much can be said without words. Beautiful photos of all kinds of families.

Howard B. Wigglebottom

by Howard Binkow

H

appy February! During the month of February we will continue the Our Big World series visiting Africa and Hawaii. We’ll enjoy some fun in the sun as we transform our school into a tropical paradise for Beach Day on our Hawaii visit.

The letter ‘D’ helps us polish up our pearly whites as we say ‘AH’ in dental health. The letter ‘V’ makes a special Valentine delivery as we make and create Valentines— and have some party fun! Superheros fly into action at Karing Kingdom as we explore our extraordinary super powers. A special parent/child Mad Science Workshop will also be part of February fun!

Karing Kingdom Preschool continues to take registration for the 2013-14 school year. For more information, please call 763.420.5015 x127 or email kingdom@lordoflife.org.

Grandpa teaches Howard to be proud of who you are!

Be yourself! Follow your heart! And practice makes perfect!

karing kingdom preschool Angie Schiebel, Director, x127, kingdom@lordoflife.org Teachers: Jennifer Ellingson, Maureen Murphy Hanson, Carly Tappe

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

Frosty science fun!

Hat day!

contact us WEB lordoflife.org PHONE 763.420.5015 FACEBOOK facebook.com/lordoflifelutheran ADDRESS 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313 PRAYER NETWORK prayernetwork@lordoflife.org FAX 763.420.7286 Visit lordoflife.org/lolstaff for more specific contact information plus photos of all Lord of Life staff.

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

A Litany of Love

T

ake turns being the leader of this litany prayer based on 1 Corinthians 12:4-7. It’s a great prayer for morning or evening throughout the month of February. Family members repeat each line after you.

Love is patient; love is kind.

Repeat.

Love enjoys others for who they are.

Repeat.

Love is generous and courteous; easy to be with.

Repeat.

Love forgives and forgets the wrongs of others.

Repeat.

Love lasts a long time.

Repeat.

Give thanks to God for love!

Repeat.

Bless each other with a hug as an expression of Christ’s love.

A Caring Community

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ooking for an at-home service project with the kids? Make Grab and Go bags for Hope Lodge! The Wick family made this their new tradition on Thanksgiving night. These simple bags are placed by the front door at Hope Lodge in Minneapolis so guests can literally ‘grab and go’ on the way out the door for their cancer treatment. A small bag with water and simple treats can make a big difference to someone in their time of need. Stop by Lord of Life’s Service Center to pick up a list of what is needed in each Grab and Go bag or visit lordoflife.org/hopelodge.

Lord of Life continues to serve a meal at Hope Lodge every other Monday evening.

Experience firsthand how to make a difference in the life of someone far from home and their faith community. Sign up to serve on February 11 or 25. Questions?

Contact Paula Thomas at pkthomas5@ hotmail.com.

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

left to right and top to bottom: Shalane, Adam, Kenny, Chris, and Emma Wick!

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Nonprofit US Postage Paid ADDRESS 7401 COUNTY ROAD 101, MAPLE GROVE, MN 55311-4313 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED - TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL LifeTIMES is a monthly ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed

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

Copyright 2012 Lord of Life Lutheran Church

caught reading lifetimes

On November 3, 2012, newlyweds Brent & Alissa (Nelson) Krause were caught reading LifeTIMES on the way to their wedding reception!

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

Maple Grove, MN Permit #14