Lord of life lutheran
MARCH 2020
C O M P A S S
N E W
T I M E
R E L I G I O N S
by Pastor Kaitlyn Forster (kaitlyn@lordoflife.org)
Last month, I found myself on an airplane heading to a conference. While on that ride, the inevitable question from the stranger next to me arose. “What do you do?” Now, if I knew this person or their background, or was in a more familiar place, I would have delightfully shared that information. I am a Lutheran pastor. But, I wasn’t in any of those situations, and experience has taught me to be a bit more reserved when it comes to talking about religion—even if it is a large part of who I am. Sometimes saying that I am a pastor is met with raised eyebrows and a shifty side eye. Or I get to hear the stories of why they haven’t been to church recently. Sometimes though, it turns into holy and unexpected moments. The hesitancy and reserve that I experience from others I believe is in large part due to our changing culture. Belonging to a religious institution is on the decline and wrapping one’s faith in the “spiritual but not religious” category is increasing. In fact, over a quarter of the United States population identifies as such.
pastor's article ....................2-3 Bible 101......................................4-5 community life...........................6-7 in the news /book study �����8-9 LEarn with a pastor .............. 10 contacts/calendar ................ 11
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Yet, as the support for religious institutions is on the decline, people today have never been more religious. This impulse is simply rebranded. David Zahl, in his recent book, Seculosity, makes the claim that while confidence in religious institutions is failing, the marketplace on replacement religions is booming. What he means by that is that if religion is the lens through which you mark and sort your priorities and desires, then that specific lens is no longer solely focused on God (Zahl, xii-xiii). The lens of religion has shifted in many different directions. There is a focus on careers to find meaning, and we can work longer hours than ever. There is the ability to spend so much time on parenting tiny humans that we forget about having a life outside of them. There’s even the need to get the latest and greatest gadgets.
Now, all of these things are not bad or good. But when they become the sole focus of where you find meaning, then they have become a new time religion. They become the places where we feel enough. Worthy. And they get praised in our society. But, they fall short because they often leave a bigger hole than they fill. And at the end of the day, they aren’t going to be what saves you. Only God can do that. You are invited to worship on Wednesday evenings at 7pm this Lenten season, where we will call out these areas of our lives that seek our devotion and to be reminded of the one who calls us into relationship, offering a gift that the world cannot give, providing more than enough.
Wednesdays in Lent Worship at 7pm will follow the Holden evening prayer liturgy, and there is a community soup supper (freewill offering) beginning at 5:30pm. February 26: Ash Wednesday (worship at 11am and 7pm) March 4: The Religion of Parenting March 11: The Religion of Technology March 18: The Religion of Work March 25: The Religion of Busyness April 1: The Religion of Politics
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A Bible 101
G I F T
by Neil Christians (neilc@lordoflife.org)
I am not a great writer. It’s not my gift. My handwriting is so terrible that sometimes I cannot even read it. I remember in elementary school my mom commenting on my handwriting. Each line I would write would start farther and farther to the right. I think my subconscious kept moving it farther to the right in hopes that I could write less on each line. To this day I prefer to type my notes rather than write things by hand. I love the benefits of writing things on my computer. Moving paragraphs around or adding in a thought in between two sentences. I don’t know how I passed English without the benefit of spell check. Whoever invented the spell check function needs to be given some kind of special award! Another function I love is the
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F R O M
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justify button. You can move text to line up in the middle of the page, to the right of the page, or to the left of the page. With one click, everything comes into alignment. That’s similar to what it means when the Bible says we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1). We are brought into alignment. When we are justified, we are “made right” in God’s sight. No longer are we drifting further and further away from God. But here’s the good news. We don’t need to work on being justified. It’s like an automatic function that God has put into place because of Jesus Christ. God loves us so much that God brings us back into alignment without us needing to do anything to earn it. Galatians 2:16 says that we are justified
not by works but by faith in Jesus Christ. As you type on the computer, take some time to think about how God has justified your life. Take some time to think about how this is something that you can’t earn, it is a gift from God. Take some time to think about this awesome gift. Take some time to think about how God has done this because God loves you so much!
dig deeper Seems that everything in our life is about earning things. We have to work at our job. We work on relationships. We even work to plan our vacations. But we don’t have to work to earn God’s love or to earn our salvation. These are gifts from God. Read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 5:11-32. Imagine that you are the younger son and see how the father treats you in this story. Read Romans 5:1-11. It’s a great passage about how we are justified by faith. Pay close attention to the emphasis on how much God loves you. God did all of this for you because of God’s great love for you. How might you share this message of God’s love to others in what you say and in what you do?
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C O M M U N bereavements
baptisms
At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. For the next baptism class or to schedule a baptism, call the church office (763.420.5015).
Prayers of sympathy for those grieving the loss of a loved one; may they be comforted in the promise of the resurrection.
January 12
Bode Kelly Rice Iona Louise Troy
Kathryn Brimeyer and family at the death of her mother
January 26
Jordan Lee Hampton Reese Elizabeth Neubauer Peter Nicholas Rice Theodore Charles Rice
Deb Contreras and family at the death of her mother Mallory Current and family at the death of her grandmother Linda Gustafson and family at the death of her mother Manijeh Haghayeghi and family at the death of her brother-in-law Connie Hawes and family at the death of her father Jean Hendrickson and family at the death of her brother Renae Larson and family at the death of her sister Greg Manrodt and family at the death of his grandmother Susan Manrodt and family at the death of her mother
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I T Y
L I F E welcome new members Joshua & Jenna Anderson with Hazel Jeffrey & Jenaye Brown with Morgan Rich Melin and family at the death of his wife Steve Mello and family at the death of his aunt Diane Moody and family at the death of her aunt Lynn Muesing and family at the death of her husband Kirk Olson and family at the death of his mother Bonnie Redden and family at the death of her husband Nancy Sarkis and family at the death of her mother
Dale & Deb Fagre Dave & Pat Gerdes Robb & Tiffany Kaiser with Grayson and Paige Mike & Dawn Miller with Aaron and McKenna Allen & Leanne Stoeckman Andrew Walko & Olivia Lamberth with Stella 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
Sue Simonett and family at the death of her father
regularly, grow in faith, serve others, and support
Jennifer Williams and family at the death of her brother
information, contact Katie Gartzke (katieg@
Mike Wilson and family at the death of his sister
weddings
the church and its programs financially. For more
lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife. org/membership. You are invited to become a part of the Lord of Life faith community.
For details on having your wedding at Lord of Life, visit lordoflife.org/weddings. To schedule a wedding, contact Wedding Supervisor Michelle Tomlinson (763.420.5015 x118).
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N E W S
In case you missed it, Lord of Life has been in the news. Working with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit founded in 2014 by two former debt collections executives, Lord of Life used $15,000 in congregation donations to forgive $1,560,562 in medical debt for 472 families who earn less than twice the federal poverty level. The average debt erased was about $3,000. The money was distributed primarily in two counties in Texas and one in Arkansas. At this time, RIP Medical Debt does not assist people in Minnesota as it is still unclear whether their work conflicts with our state’s consumer protection laws. As the first church in Minnesota to retire medical debt, stay tuned for a more significant opportunity. We would like to help Minnesotans but until then—it is very exciting that a relatively small donation can make such a difference in people’s lives!
Visit lordoflife.org for links to the WCCO Radio, KARE 11 television, Star Tribune newspaper, and CCX Media interviews with Pastor Joel. These resources were also shared via Lord of Life’s facebook page.
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L E N T E N
B O O K
S T U D Y
This year for Lent, we will be doing a six-week study by Adam Hamilton, Final Words from the Cross. With interesting stories from possible witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus’ last words come to life in another way to help us understand what an amazing act of love Jesus did for us. Jesus spoke seven “final words” statements that have much to teach us about Jesus, God, and ourselves: • • • • • • •
Father, Forgive Them Behold, Your Son . . . Behold Your Mother My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise I Thirst It Is Finished Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit
Final Words from the Cross is an inspiring follow-up book to 24 Hours That Changed the World about the last day of Jesus’ life. Hamilton explores these final words as seen and heard through the eyes and ears of those who stood near the cross. Each chapter begins with the biblical account followed by a first-person story as it might have been told from the viewpoint of one of the characters at the cross. Then the chapter explores the meaning of Jesus’ dying words for our lives today. Following the last statement, a postscript recounts the words Jesus spoke following his resurrection, including what truly were the final words Jesus spoke while walking this earth. The book will be available in our Reflections of Faith bookstore. The study will begin on March 1/2. Classes will be Sundays at 9:45am and Mondays at 7pm each week. You are invited to join in this book study for your Lenten journey. —Pastor Donna Rohrer
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L E A R N march
W I T H
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The Book of Job Where is the “Gospel” message in the Old Testament book of Job? Where’s the good news for us in 2020? The book of Job is a story of a good, innocent person who suffers terrible loss. God and Satan have a conversation about Job’s faith. God allows Satan to test Job. Everything Job has is destroyed; his wealth, his beloved children, and his health. Friends offer reasons for Job’s misfortunes, but Job will have none of it. He protests his innocence, he yells, he dares God to answer him. Come and hear how the story ends, and explore questions about life which are as old as the Bible and as new as today’s newspaper. —Pastor Dave McCarty
march
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God, Evil, and Suffering If God is good, why is there so much bad in the world? Is God doing anything about this? As people who believe in a good God, we wrestle with questions about evil and suffering. This brief overview of these huge topics will reframe our images of God and God’s activity in the world. The problem of evil and the will of God will be explored, “practical atheism” will be defined, and a biblical, cross-centered image of God’s power will be offered. Rest assured that God is at work in the world—and you are a part of God’s work! —Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem
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LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH (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. Prayer requests may be submitted to prayernetwork@lordoflife.org. Compass is a monthly ministry by Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed by Wallace Carlson Printing using ecofriendly inks. To receive Compass in the mail or electronically—call 763.420.5015 or email office@lordoflife.org. Copyright 2020 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Dr. Joel Wight Hoogheem, Lead Pastor, joel@lordoflife.org Rev. Kaitlyn Forster, kaitlynf@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Senior Pastor Emeritus, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Karen Greimel, ksgreimel@lordoflife.org Rev. Charles ‘Chick’ Lane, chickl@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, davem@lordoflife.org Rev. Donna Rohrer, donnar@lordoflife.org
Midweek Lenten Worship on Wednesdays at 7pm in the sanctuary. Soup supper prior to evening service ready at 5:30pm; freewill offering in Fellowship Hall. Saturdays at 5:30pm includes holy communion and music led by David Frank. Sundays at 8:30, 9:45, and 11am with holy communion on the first and third with music leaders David Frank at 8:30/9:45am and Brian Schroeder at 11am.
/lordoflifelutheran /lolcyf
office@lordoflife.org
lordoflife.org
WORSHIP/MUSIC SCHEDULE
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/lordoflifeluth
Photo credits include Lightstock and Unsplash.
march
Calendar of events
To connect with an adult ministry representative, contact Karen Nelson at 763.420.5015 x138 or karenn@lordoflife.org. To connect with a children, youth, and family representative, contact Chelsey Grandstrand at 763.420.5015 x128 or chelseyg@lordoflife.org. As event details are subject to change—for the most current dates, times, details, event locations, and registrations—please visit lordoflife.org. 3/1
The Little Things: Jot and Tittle with David Frank
3/17
Pause for Prayer
SUNDAYS/MONDAYS:
3/1
LifeGARDEN Registration Open
3/18
345 @ LOL
Lenten Bible Study
3/2
Cancer Support Groups
3/18
Live It Out High School Ministry
SUNDAYS/WEDNESDAYS:
3/3
Connect Life
3/19
FreedomWorks Meal - Offsite
C3 Confirmation
3/3
Fellowship with the Fellas
3/19
OWLs outing to Animal Humane Society
3/3
Pause for Prayer
3/21
C3 Confirmation Saturday Retreat
C3 Family Meal
3/4
345 @ LOL
3/22
Learn with Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem
3/5
OWLs Faith Food & Fellowship
3/23
Hope Lodge Volunteering - Offsite
3/6
Kidpack for CROSS
3/25
Source MN Meal - Offsite
3/8
Learn with Pastor Dave McCarty
3/26
MOMSnext
3/9
Hope Lodge Volunteering - Offsite
3/29
Baptism Class
3/9
NAMI Support Group
3/26-29 Inspired Images Retreat - Offsite
3/12
MOMSnext
3/12
Prayer Shawl Ministry
3/13
Parent Night Out
ONGOING SATURDAYS/SUNDAYS:
3/14
Mittens on a Mission
Church School
THURSDAYS:
3/14
Sharing and Caring Hands - Offsite
Worship
Alleluia! and Joyful Noise Rehearsals
3/15
Guest Speaker Kelly Rodenberg
SUNDAYS:
Ring and Sing
3/16
The Food Group Volunteering - Offsite
High School Dinner Groups
LSS on-site counselor
3/17
Fellowship with the Fellas
VARIOUS:
3/17
Job Transition Group
Men’s Bible Studies, various days/location
TUESDAYS: Celebrate Recovery Grief Share Love to Paint
WEDNESDAYS: Bel Canto Rehearsal Canticle Choir Rehearsal Midweek Lenten Worship Word for Women
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Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Loved by God. Sent to Serve.
NonProfit Org. U. S. Postage
7401 County Road 101 Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313
PAID
Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 4665
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL
Name Address City, ST 00000
Along with other Lenten materials, this booklet will be available in the narthex. You are invited to take a copy for reflective journaling.
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