Compass January February 2023

C O M P A S S Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, MN January/February 2023

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LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH

7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313 Visit lordoflife.org/staff for a full staff listing with photos.

Prayer requests may be submitted to prayernetwork@lordoflife.org.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Welcome

Renewal

4-5

Romans 12:2

Hearing The Story

6–7

Small Groups

Hearing The Story Timeline

8–9

Living Unbroken

lordoflife.org

office@lordoflife.org

Baptisms / Bereavements 10–11 Weddings / Welcome /lordoflifelutheran /lolcyf

Hunger Lives Next Door... 12–13 ...and Around the World Wintry Spiritual Practices 14–15 Three Considerations

/lordoflifeluth

How to Read the Bible 16-17 Three Literary Features Refresh 18–19 Calendar of Events

/lordoflife /cyf_lordoflife

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Ash Wednesday

Compass is a bimonthly ministry from Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA). Paper is the most sustainable natural resource. After reading, please recycle or share with a friend or neighbor, inviting them to Lord of Life’s community of faith. You don’t need to be a member to receive Compass. To receive it in the mail and/or electronically, call 763.420.5015 or email bevm@lordoflife.org. Credits: Feed My Starving Children (Uganda), Lightstock, and Unsplash. Copyright © 2023 Lord of Life Lutheran Church

WELCOME In 1966, Abraham Maslow wrote, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” A hammer is certainly a useful tool, at least in any and all situations where a hammer is needed. If you’re trying to sink a screw, hang wallpaper, or saw a board—a hammer is woefully inadequate. We understand that different tools are required for different tasks and a toolbox needs to contain a variety of tools.

In much the same way, a life of faith requires different tools. God created each one of us uniquely, so we’ll each have different tools in our toolboxes, but we benefit from having a variety from which to choose.

Please consider this issue of Compass as the tool aisle at your favorite home improvement store. You can browse and peruse what is offered in these pages: forms of prayer, ways to read the Bible, resources to renew, and so much more. My hunch is that you’ll find something useful that you’ll want to add to your toolbox and put to good use.

Rather than always hammering away, we can reflect and be renewed as we use the right tool for each circumstance in our lives of faith.

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R E N E W A L

by Pastor Kaitlyn Forster

Not long ago, the 9th-grade confirmation (C3) students began a unit on Lutheran beliefs. In a few short weeks, they learned a little about Martin Luther, what makes Lutheranism unique from other denominations and faiths, and why it matters for them today.

I got to teach on the basics of Lutheranism and must admit that it gave me great joy to be able to teach on some of the core beliefs that we share.

that he realized that forgiveness was not something that he could earn. Forgiveness is something only God can give, and we know that most fully through remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When forgiveness is out of our control, much like how love is something we cannot control, we can begin to see it as a gift of God. In the Lutheran church, we call this gift grace and faith is what happens when we trust in this gift of grace that God has given us.

“Faith is what happens when we trust in this gift of grace that God has given us.”

The one that I got most excited about was that we believe we are saved by grace through faith. To paraphrase Martin Luther’s story, he spent much of his early years as a monk reading scripture, saying his prayers, and confessing his sins, hoping that would make him right with God. But what he learned in the process was that no matter how hard he tried, he always fell short. He never felt “good” enough.

Instead of getting fully discouraged, he found hope through Scripture through the stories and life of Jesus Christ. It was there

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Romans 12:2 captures this concept beautifully, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

This verse says no matter what we may be going through or how the world may feel around us, we too can remember that we have this gift of grace, of God’s undeserved love, and let that transform our perspective and lives of faith.

Judging by the very polite yet glazed-over glances from the 9th-grade students, I could tell that they may not have been nearly as excited about this as I was. However, I don’t blame them. If anything, it means that they are paying attention because God’s gift of grace is so woven through our beliefs that hearing it may have felt like second nature.

Yet, that was the opposite for Martin Luther.

For him, this belief was life-changing in many ways. It was the opposite of what the church was teaching at the time, and to speak counter to the pope in that day could have cost him his life. It almost did, in fact. It also profoundly changed his perspective on faith and life.

Instead of feeling shame and unworthiness, it opened him up to feel renewed and freed in Christ. Through Christ, he no longer felt the need to earn God’s love and could instead focus on spreading that love to others.

If anything, I hope that is the lesson that the 9th-grade confirmands heard that day, and that you do, too. Because the same can be true for us. When we approach the love and forgiveness from God as a gift we are receiving, rather than something we need to earn, it changes how we show up on Sunday and every other day that ends in “y.” We’re more likely to share that gift with others and see each other as part of the body of Christ. And when that happens, Christ is present—renewing our minds and transforming our hearts.

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H E A R I N G

T H E

S T O R Y

Since September, about 700 copies of The Story were purchased through Lord of Life. How has it been going for those who are hearing The Story?

Glad you asked! Several participants from small groups have shared their experiences thus far.

BRUCE WESSMAN DIANE EVERSON

I have tried numerous times to read the entire Bible with very poor results. It was just too difficult and tedious to get past the first few books of the Bible by myself.

When I read that Lord of Life was going to do this I was “all in!” It may seem strange to attend two small groups but it has been so fulfilling to hear all the different thoughts from the people I have been privileged to meet. I will most definitely be attending both of the sessions into the new year.

The small group on Sunday is so special as it is made up of many different ages and backgrounds.

I sincerely look forward to continuing with this study.

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I have been loving the study of The Story! The discussion has been excellent and we have been using it to parallel application in our present day lives. Many of these stories we may remember from days of our youth in church school but they have now become more real as we return to those days of “yesteryear.” Thanks, Lord of Life!

KYLE HOEGH

God’s faithfulness in fulfilling promises to God’s people shines through each and every week, delivered through—and sometimes in spite of — the characters we meet in The Story. It is nice to be reminded each week of God’s faithfulness to flawed people, because aren’t we still similarly flawed today? And isn’t God’s faithfulness still something we can cling to if only we have ears to hear the promises he delivers to each and every one of us today, and the hearts and minds to recognize how powerful and trustworthy God’s Word really is? Through my small group discussion of The Story I can say the answer is a resounding yes, and we haven’t even officially met the baby in a manger yet!

GREG SOMMER

I’ve been participating in a men’s Bible study group for a little more than a year and have read the entire Bible before—but it was a long time ago and admittedly a “speed read” with little appreciation for the context and linkages between different sections of the Bible. I enjoy the structure of The Story because brief weekly chapters make it simple and accessible to keep up while also providing plenty of time to think about the narrative’s meanings. I also appreciate working through The Story as a congregation so the same material is covered in worship, Bible study, and with the at-home Field Guide providing better comprehension. There are some very challenging and uncomfortable sections in the Old Testament. I’ve enjoyed wrestling through those sections with the other men in our group and hearing different perspectives on what those passages might mean for us. I am looking forward to continuing the group study in the new year. The men’s Bible study is one of my favorite parts of the week!

KENT DIRKS

I’ve learned that I need to personally dig deeper into the Old Testament to reconcile the God of genocide with the God of love in the New Testament.

C O RY H E P O L A

We’ve built up trust in our small group, so we are constantly pushing each other to critically think about The Story and what it means today. While I’ve always maintained a strong faith, our small group study has been exactly what I needed. My faith continues to grow as I listen to how the Lord is guiding me to new ways of service.

PA M T H I E M A N N

I have been in quite a few Bible study groups over the past 30 years. The summer between high school & college I decided to read the whole Bible by myself. I was doing pretty well until I got to 1 & 2 Kings! It was very difficult and challenging to read about the fate of the people under the rule of the evil kings who worshipped other gods. I definitely plan to continue to study The Story in the coming year. There is always something to learn each time I study the Bible. I have learned many new things so far this fall.

Each pastor brings new insights into how we should understand these stories. My favorite so far is the story of Joseph. His life was so full of sorrow and pain but yet God was with him, blessed him, and protected him. Joseph persevered in life and God used him in a mighty way.

God is working in a mighty way for many at Lord of Life in small groups with The Story! More participants offered their comments for this article but due to space not everyone’s could be used. However, the overall consensus is that our community is excited to continue learning and hearing The Story together. Thank you to Bruce, Cory, Diane, Greg, Kent, Kyle, and Pam! If you are not involved with a small group and are interested—there is still opportunity to join one and learn from The Story. Feel free to visit lordoflife.org/groups for details.

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HEARthe STORY This timeline shows Part 2’s schedule of The Story. Visit lordoflife.org/thestory for an electronic version of the Field Guide or pick up a hard copy at church.

Part 2 Begins

THE KING WHO HAD IT ALL

A KINGDOM TORN IN TWO

December 31 / January 1 Chapter 13

THE BEGINNING OF THE END (OF THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL)

January 7 / 8 Chapter 14

GOD’S MESSENGERS January 14 / 15 Chapter 15

January 21 / 22 Chapter 16

THE KINGDOMS’ FALL

DANIEL IN EXILE

January 28 / 29 Chapter 17

THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY AND COURAGE

February 4 / 5 Chapter 18

THE RETURN HOME February 11 / 12 Chapter 19

February 18 / 19 Chapter 20

Part 3 Begins

REBUILDING THE WALLS February 25 / 26 Chapter 21

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Women’s Divorce Group—

LIVING UNBROKEN

by Pastor LisaMarie Doerrmann

Divorce and separation are among the most painful experiences any one person or family can experience. It can be perceived not only as a death of a marriage, but also a death of the hopes and dreams that come with the loss.

And when we experience loss, we grieve. As Christians, we may wonder how God will heal our hearts and mend our emotional injuries. We may ask the question, how will we ever find hope, joy, and self-confidence?

While many of us push through each day, the toll on our mind, body, and spiritual health continues. One thing you can be sure of is that God loves you and your family. The Bible reinforces this truth. And God can bring us comfort and healing, for when we come together in need and listen for God’s healing word, amazing things happen.

Living Unbroken is a divorce support group for women using a program written by author Tracie Miles. Miles is a national speaker and author who has spent the last twelve years inspiring women to live intentionally for Christ and be who God called them to be. She is passionate about helping women embrace their faith and enjoy an abundant life in Christ. Through her genuine, transparent messages coupled with gentle humor and powerful personal stories, Miles inspires women to live into Christ!

Join in as we work our way through the Living Unbroken program and find a new path forward. We will meet Wednesdays, starting January 4-February 15, 6:30-8:30pm.

Space is limited. You can register online or contact the office.

Materials are $30. For questions or scholarship information, contact Michelle Tomlinson at 763.420.5015 x118 or michellet@lordoflife.org.

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BAPTISMS At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. To schedule a baptism, call the church office (763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.org/baptism. The next baptism classes are January 9 and February 6 via Zoom. A blessed welcome to all of these newly baptized into the family of God! OCTOBER

October 2, 2022 Ava Christine Erickson Jack Elliott Ness Whitney Harper Ness Wyatt Harlan Ness Riley Helen Seeley October 9, 2022 Clara Jane Aslesen Thomas Daniel Cassidy Layne Carrie Cota Owen David Garske Joshua Lee Honigman Brynley Louise Kaliszewski October 15, 2022 Palmer Adalyn Finnvik Parker Lewis Finnvik October 16, 2022 Mattea Florence Gladice Barber Eviana Inez Myers October 22, 2022 Audra Maxine Nelson Cole Logan Nichols October 23, 2022 Maddoz Gregory Osgood October 29, 2022 Ryder Dwight Allen

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NOVEMBER November 5, 2022 Emma Katherine Knudson November 6, 2022 Hadley Grace Sherman Maren Colette Sherman November 13, 2022 Callan Fitterer Anthony Jan McKinnon Lillian Irene Schreiner November 20, 2022 Nash Gregory Plumedahl November 26, 2022 Andrew Ronald Dickman Brooks Hayden Wessels November 27, 2022 Lennon Alice Webber

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

OCTOBER Diane Erickson and family at the death of her father, Donald Lagacy Michael & Ruth Filbrandt and family at the death of their son, Mark Filbrandt Joyce Jorgenson and family at the death of her husband, Alan Oppegaard Mark Helvick and family at the death of his mother, Lorraine Mark Landauer and family at the death of his mother Brad Reichert and family at the death of his wife, Kendra Reichert WEDDINGS Stacy Sparks and family at the death of her Grandma Helen OCTOBER Todd Sparks and family at the death of his grandfather October 8, 2022 Emma Thiemann & Christopher Jensen NOVEMBER October 21, 2022 Cindy Barnhouse and family at the death of her son, Dan Barnhouse Maddy Rydeen & Ryan Fox Merissa Browning and family at the death of her father Audrey Johnson and family at the death of her mother NOVEMBER Chuck Juntunen and family at the death of brother, Roger Juntunen November 26, 2022 Kristina Kampa and family at the death of her father Cameo Rye & Brian Dockendorf Eric Malmin and family at the death of his father Janet Medin and family at the death of her husband, Dan Medin Al Olson and family at the death of his mother, Lucille Olson, and his brother, Brian Valerie Olson and family at the death of her stepfather, Doug Reynolds Eileen and Travis Petrie and family at the death of mother/grandmother, Evelyn Larson John Snyder and family at the death of his mother Merle Waldron and family at the death of his mother, Marilyn Dalchow Carolyn Wick and family at the death of her brother, Kenny, and her father, Ron Converse

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS OCTOBER

Chris and Mary Fossum with Jackson and Sophia Michelle Hessel with Gavin, Alaric, and Livia Tom and Janet Knoll John and Diane Priyatel Pete and Judi Tufte

NOVEMBER

Lindsay Preston with Cooper and Addison Jason and Vanessa Rainey with Aria John and Renee Schlegelmilch Josh and Jen Shaw

Membership at Lord of Life means you make a commitment to be an active participant in congregational life. The expectation—of not only new members, but all members—is to worship regularly, grow in faith, serve others, and support the church and its programs financially. For more information, contact Diane Steffen (dianes@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.org/membership. You are invited to be part of the Lord of Life faith community.

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H U N G E R L I V E S N E X T D O O R . . .

What is food insecurity?

Lack of consistent access to enough food for all household members to have an active and healthy life.

Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.

Food insecurity continues to be an issue that affects urban, suburban, and rural Minnesota counties, with a disproportionate impact on communities of color.1

How does food insecurity happen?

Overlapping life challenges force families to make trade-offs between housing or medical bills and nutritionally balanced food.

lack of affordable housing

low wages

health problems

medical care costs

social isolation

1out of 8

people face food insecurity in the U.S.

63%

of senior households must choose between food or medical care

Lord of Life actively partners with CROSS Foodshelf (fresh produce grown in the LifeGarden), Sharing & Caring Hands, and Gethsemane Lutheran in North Minneapolis to help alleviate food insecurity.

For specific data on food insecurity, these websites provide valuable statistics: MINNESOTA: https://hfhl.umn.edu/fooddashboard NATIONAL: https://usafacts.org/data/topics/people-society/poverty/poverty-measures/food-insecure-households, and NATIONAL: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/household-pulse-survey and feedingamerica.org 1

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. . . A N D A R O U N D T H E W O R L D On February 22-25, Lord of Life will host a Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack event onsite, where food will be mixed and packed for shipment. FMSC believes hope starts with food. As a Christian nonprofit, FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development. And you can be a part of this effort!

FMSC meals are developed by food science and nutrition professionals to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems with malnutrition. Nutrition allows children to grow, thrive, and develop to their full potential. Lord of Life’s Uganda ministry leaders Kent & Laura Dirks have seen firsthand how FMSC food has improved children’s lives. “At SmileAfrica through the years we’ve seen scalp scabies and skin issues improve dramatically after using nutritious FMSC food for the children,” explains Laura. “We know it has improved the lives of hundreds—if not thousands—of the Karamajong children in Uganda alone.”

FMSC partners with organizations in Asia, Europe, North and Central America, South America, the Middle East, and, Africa.

Visit lordoflife.org/fmsc to sign up for a time slot to volunteer. It’s a wonderful opportunity for individuals or families—and will make a difference in reducing hunger around the world!

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WINTRY

SPIRITUAL

For those of us in Minnesota, January and February bring an interesting contrast. On one hand, January brings the new year—a time when culture prompts us to examine our lives and initiate change. On the other, we don’t see much new life or transformation happening around us in nature. It’s cold, it’s dark, and everything is dead or dormant—it feels like the time for rest and contemplation, quiet and coziness.

Whatever energy you bring to these cold months, God invites you into God’s renewing presence.

The reminder of Emmanuel, “God with us,” isn’t just for Advent and Christmas, but is a promise we carry with us throughout the year—in the big, splashy holidays, and the quiet, everyday moments— God is with us. Perhaps the stillness and dormancy of winter can remind us to slow down and be gentle with ourselves. Maybe the invitation God has for you is to rest in God’s presence, knowing that transformation can be quiet, slow work.

As you navigate this season, you are invited to find a practice that helps you grow in awareness of God’s presence in your life. Karen Wight Hoogheem, the Director of Contemplative Discipleship at Lord of Life, suggests three practices. Read through them and choose one that connects with you to try. Afterward, take a moment to reflect on the experience with the questions at the end on the next page. Feel free to adapt these practices to your comfort level, needs, or abilities. These instructions are not prescriptive, but an invitation to connect with God. Adjust them to find what works for you.

P R AY I N G I N C O L O R

“Doodling” from the book, Praying in color 1 - here are reasons to pray in color: • • • • • •

You want to pray but words escape you You feel antsy and can’t sit still Your mind wanders and your body complains You want a visual, concrete way to pray You want a new way to spend time with God Creativity is a way to express yourself to God

Collect supplies: paper, pen, colored markers or pencils. Write a name for God. Draw a shape around it or just start to doodle. Let your pen take you for a walk. The drawing becomes a prayer space. Add marks and shapes. Focus on the name you chose for God. Ask God to be part of your prayer time. If words come to you, pray them; if not, rest in silence. Think of each stroke as a

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nonverbal prayer. To pray for a person, write their name somewhere else on the page. Draw around the name. Add color. Keep drawing as you release the person into God’s care. Add other people to your drawing. Think of each stroke of your pen as a prayer for them. Take a breath or say “Amen” between each person.

BA K I N G

Bake chocolate chip cookies (or other favorite recipe) as a prayer: •

•

Before you begin, take a few deep breaths, and allow your spirit to catch up with your body. Say a prayer and ask God to be with you during this experience.

Be intentional about slowing down. Give yourself permission to enjoy the experience.

Reprinted with permission from Praying in color (2007) by Sybil Macbeth. For visual examples of each of these steps, visit prayingincolor. com/praying-in-color.

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PRACTICES • •

Follow the recipe however you like—maybe you prefer to follow it step-by-step or maybe you prefer to improvise a bit.

If you feel distracted by a thought, feeling, or worry . . . pause the baking. Notice the thought, feeling, or worry. Take a deep breath or two.

Imagine yourself setting aside your concern (maybe imagine placing the concern in a basket to take care of later).

Return to the baking. Notice the scent of the ingredients, how your body and spirit feels while you bake, and the sounds you hear around your home. Enjoy a cookie with a glass of milk! Give God thanks for the experience of good food and being alive.

W I N T RY EV E N I N G WA L K

Go for an evening walk alone or with another person.

• • •

•

Get bundled up for a winter walk and grab a flashlight and/or a reflective vest Head outside & notice your senses as you walk.

Are you able to see the stars? Do you smell smoke from a neighbor’s fireplace? Can you feel the wind blowing on your face or is the air still? How do your footsteps sound—what other sounds do you hear?

How is the darkness for you? Does it feel calm and settled? Or do the shadows make you feel nervous?

As you walk, check in with yourself. What emotions or feelings do you notice? What happened today that prompted those feelings?

What can you tell God about your day and your emotions? What does God want to tell you about you and your day? As you return home, breathe in the night air. Notice how your spirit feels after spending a few moments outside. Give God thanks for the gift of winter evenings and being alive.

After completing your chosen spiritual p ra c t i c e , r e f l e c t o n t h e s e q u e s t i o n s : • • • •

What are you most grateful for in this prayer experience?

What surprised you?

What challenged you?

How do you experience the promise of Immanuel “God with us” in these prayer practices?

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HOW T THE BI

by Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem

an answer guide. t o n s i e “...the Bibl It is a wonderful conversation

pa r

tner, however.“

In our Christian tradition, we understand there is something special about the Bible. It’s a collection of writings inspired by God that communicates uniquely to us. We also understand it’s important to read Scripture. What we often feel ill-equipped to do, however, is to know how to read the Bible.

The Bible is a library composed and edited together thousands of years ago. It contains many different genres of literature from times and places with worldviews very different than our own. One of the greatest challenges of reading the Bible is accepting it on its own terms rather than bringing our expectations to it. For instance, you may have a really good question about a story or detail in the Bible that the Bible is completely uninterested in answering. That doesn’t mean your question is bad, or that the Bible is wrong not to answer it. It just means the Bible is not an answer guide. The Bible is a wonderful conversation partner, however.

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O READ BLE One of the ways we become conversant with the Bible is understanding a little bit about what to pay attention to. This is especially true when we encounter difficult and unfamiliar passages that seem to fill many pages of the Old Testament.

One excellent resource I’ve found is the book Enjoying the Old Testament: A Creative Guide to Encountering Scripture

by Eric Seibert. One practice he offers is knowing about common literary features of Bible passages.

Repetition is one feature to note. The birth announcement of Samson is made in Judges 13:2-5. It is then almost immediately repeated in Judges 13:6-7. A contemporary editor would make a drastic change here. The author of Judges, however, uses repetition to make a point and offer foreshadowing.

If you read those two birth announcement passages, one very important detail is

omitted in the latter. It plays a major role in Samson’s story.

Paying attention to how people are named is something else worth noting. In the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:8-10, there is reference made multiple times to “brother Abel.” It is not as though the author thought we would forget that Abel is Cain’s brother. He is named as “brother Abel” as a way to answer Cain’s question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

It is also worth attending to the functional significance of physical details. Most characters in the Bible do not have their appearance commented upon. We don’t know, for instance, if Jesus was short or tall, how long his hair was, or really anything else about his physical appearance.

We do know, however, that Zacchaeus was a short man.

(Luke 19:1-10) That physical details is shared because it’s

important in explaining why he was up in a sycamore tree and drew Jesus’ attention that day. Whenever a biblical character’s appearance is noted, it serves an important role in their story.

There are many other tools and techniques we can use to read Scripture. These three are a good starting point in helping us slow down in our reading and enjoyment of the Bible. They can keep us grounded in the biblical mindset and help us receive the inspiration of Scripture on its own terms.

Reading the Bible can be a great challenge, but it promises to be rewarding when we stay attentive to God’s Word and keep the practice of engaging with it!

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R E F R E S H Be refreshed and get reinvigorated! Here are listening and reading suggestions from staff members which may be just the ticket to warm the soul during a cold winter season:

WORSHIP Saturdays

From Karen Wight Hoogheem—

Two songs have been renewing my spirit: Jesus Gave Me Water by Sam Cooke sounds great! As I listen to the song, I imagine the Bible story about the woman at the well. I put myself in her shoes and feel the gift of Jesus’ love and grace.

On piano, Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy.

This song expresses a wide range of emotions.

I love to listen to it. This fall I found the sheet music. Learning to play this piece on piano is a huge challenge! Playing the notes on my own instrument helps me connect with the emotions of the song at an even deeper level. This feels very prayerful to me.

5:30pm with Livestream

Sundays 8:30, 9:45, and 11am with Livestream Childcare available (birth - age two) during regular Sunday worship.

Church school (age two - 6th grade) during regular Sunday worship.

From Elizabeth Pedersen—

Unlocking Us podcast with Dr. Brené Brown, Dr. John Gottman, and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman on The Love Prescription (Parts 1 & 2). Listening to these episodes inspired (and at times convicted) my partner and me to seek renewal and connection in our relationship.

From Sarah Lee—

Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle. This is one of my favorite books and one I return to often when I’m looking for a refreshing perspective on creativity and faith.

From Joel Wight Hoogheem—

Every month, JJ Heller releases a new song about an everyday life of faith in Christ. At My Table and God Is Still Here are personal favorites that I listen to on Spotify: Neighbor . . . & Other Monthly Singles.

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Especially in severe weather, events may be subject to change.

Visit lordoflife.org or call the church office (763.420.5015) for the most up-to-date calendar items and specific event times or severe weather cancellations.

J A N U A R Y & F E B R U A R Y January 4: Living Unbroken Women’s Divorce Group begins (see Page 9) 5: Older Wiser Lutherans Faith Food & Fellowship, 12-2pm 9: Baptism Class via Zoom, 5-6pm 18: Karing Kingdom Preschool Registration opens at 10am (lordoflife.org/karingkingdom) 22: Congregational Meeting, 12 noon 22: Youth Choir Rehearsal, 4-4:45pm 29: Youth Choir Rehearsal, 4-4:45pm February 2: Youth Choir Rehearsal with Worship Band, 7-8pm 6: Baptism Class via Zoom, 5-6pm 11: C3 Retreat Make-up Day, 9am-2:30pm 12: Older Wiser Lutherans Faith, Food & Fellowship, 12-2pm 14: CYF Summer Registration Opens 22-25: Feed My Starving Children MobilePack (see Page 13)

If viewing Compass electronically, hyperlinks have been added to direct you to a specific page of the website for exact dates and times (especially recurring events).

22: Ash Wednesday Worship, 11am and 7pm (see back cover)

Stay connected with recurring events: Alone...Together widows’ group, third Monday

Job Transition Group, first and third Wednesdays

Alone...Together widowers’ group, second Monday

Living Unbroken Women’s Divorce Group, (see Page 9)

C Confirmation Ministry, Sundays and Wednesdays

Love to Paint, Tuesdays

Canticle Choir, Wednesdays

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

Celebrate Recovery, Tuesdays

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

Children’s Choirs, Thursdays

Pause for Prayer, first and third Tuesdays

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Connect Life, second Mon. in person / via Zoom second Tues. Prayer Shawl Ministry, second Thursday Ring and Sing, children’s music ministry, Thursdays Fellowship with the Fellas, first and third Tuesdays FreedomWorks Connection, third Thursday

Sharing and Caring Hands, second Saturday

Gethemane Clothes Closet, first & third Saturdays

Spiritual Writing, first Saturday

Gethsemane Food Market, Mondays

Word for Women, Wednesdays

Griefshare, Tuesdays

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Lord of Life Loved by God. Sent to Serve.

7401 County Road 101 Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Name Address City, ST 00000-0000

ASH WEDNESDAY F E B R U A R Y

Experience the beginning of Lent as we contemplate “and to dust we shall return.” Worship services with the imposition of ashes are at 11am and 7pm. Soup lunch follows 11am worship and soup supper (starting about 5:45pm) precedes 7pm worship.

All are invited.

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