Compass March / April 2023

COMPASS

LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH

763.420.5015

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.

office@lordoflife.org

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: Lightstock and Unsplash. Copyright © 2023

WELCOME

As people of faith, what does an integrated life look like? That is, how does our faith in Jesus Christ inform each and every aspect of our lives?

Sometimes we may think of our lives as a bunch of pie pieces, with each area getting a certain allotment of our time and attention. The pieces may be work, school, hobbies, family, sleep, and faith. But what if our faith isn’t a piece of a large pie, but it is the plate that holds the entire pie?

In this issue of Compass, you’ll read about how our Christian tradition has always supported the practice of discernment, offering tools to help us make very important day-to-day decisions. You’ll also read about how the new life we receive in the resurrection of Christ breathes meaning and purpose into even the most basic and ordinary parts of our lives.

God cares about every part of all of us. Our robust faith means that we view all of life through the lens of our faith in Jesus Christ.

SEEK, KNOCK:

Finding God in Our Decisions

by Pastor Karen Wight Hoogheem

Decisions are central to our lives as human beings. Throughout a lifetime and in each day, human beings make many, many decisions. We decide how to spend our time, resources, and energy. We decide what relationships to tend, when to ask for help, and what clothes to put on each morning.

To support the important role that decisions have in our lives of faith, the theme for Lenten midweek worship services is “Ask, Seek, Knock: Finding God in our Decisions.”

A traditional, spiritual term for decision-making is discernment. In the Christian tradition, discernment is the practice of seeking God’s call amid the decisions that mark one’s life. The season of Lent gives us an opportunity to consider simple prayer practices that support making decisions from the place of a loving and faithful relationship with God. Rather than going through life mindlessly, as though we’re on a default setting, God invites us to slow down, listen, and ask for guidance in the important decisions of life. Elizabeth Liebert’s book, The Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision Making, will be used as a resource.

You will have a chance to listen to God’s voice during each midweek service as you focus your attention on an important decision in your life. The prayer practices will be a guide as you listen for God’s presence in the decision-making, or discernment, process.

Here are some examples of discernment questions:

Do I want to retire within the next five years?

Do I want to go to college after I graduate from high school?

Is it time to move to a new home?

Do I want to remain in this relationship?

Do I want to seek help for ___________?

Do I want to get more education?

Do I want to let go of _________ to do more of ___________?

Do I want to volunteer for that cause?

Jesus shows us how to live a life of discernment. Luke 6 tells us, “Now during those days he [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Jesus slowed down the pace of his life to step away, to pray, and to ask for God’s guidance to help Jesus decide which people to invite to be his disciples. Throughout the gospels, Jesus carefully tended to the important decisions of his life. His thoughtful discernment shaped him as the person God created him to be.

During Lenten worship, Lord of Life will follow Jesus’ lead. In “Ask, Seek, Knock: Finding God in Our Decisions,” we will slow down. Step away from the noise. Pray. And seek God’s invitation to the next steps in our lives of faith. Together, Lord of Life will practice discernment. The decisions in our lives can become a spiritual practice and the very place where God meets us with an everlasting promise of life and love.

You are invited to Lenten worship services every Wednesday in March at 7 pm in the sanctuary. Soup supper in Fellowship Hall precedes worship.

Breathing In and Breathing Out

by Karen Naus

Lent in childhood was giving up candy and eating it at school. Not playing video games, except next door It was about McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish on Friday nights.

Today for me, Lent is learned from my maker’s breath.

I think of Christ asleep in the storm, restorative. The breathing in. The commanding of wind, rain, and waves to cease; the breathing out.

The waiting, the walking, and the tension in what the apostles thought was a delayed response. The breathing in. His arrival followed by the raising of Lazarus from the dead; the breathing out.

The greatest example the complete surrender before God and man. The carrying of the cross—being nailed to it—the filling of his own lungs—all in preparation. This was the greatest ask of his Father for us; the last breath in.

Then the freedom, our freedom. The power of the earth displayed, the tearing of the veil, crying of the rocks, and lifting of the graves. His victory over our sin so death has lost its sting. The action—the breathing out!

Let us rest in reflection of all Lenten lessons and recall even in the silence that we are free indeed.

Turn Reflection into Action

by Carol Estocko

Lent is a time that’s meant for reflection, prayer, worship and, for some, giving up something they enjoy (for example, chocolate). But, although these things are meaningful for many, Lent can also be a time for action. We can certainly attend mid-week services, read daily devotionals and work to prepare for a joyous Easter celebration. But perhaps we could also consider stepping up our game in other areas: in our church, in our communities, in our family units. Could Lent 2023 serve as a springboard for increased engagement? Could this holy season spur us to interact with people we may not have thought about reaching out to with a kind word or an offer of help? Jesus didn’t limit his actions to only those in his comfort zone, that’s for sure. He was a living sacrifice, ultimately displaying the highest degree of selflessness and love on that first Good Friday. Could we, in a way that’s achievable and meaningful for us, show that type of empathy to others now?

Holy Week

by Marge Lundeen

Holy Week is a well-worn path through my life. Palm Sunday brings to mind my Roman Catholic grandma who had a palm branch tucked behind her picture of Jesus with his wounded heart. Like Ash Wednesday a few weeks earlier, Maundy Thursday with flickering candles in the sanctuary and a ride back home in the dark, was solemn and sacred. As a teenager I sang in the ecumenical choir at a three-hour Good Friday service in the junior high auditorium. Stores were closed from noon until 3pm, and the auditorium was full. People from several churches joined in singing The Old Rugged Cross and Were You There? Often it seemed that the sky turned dark and gray around 3pm. Unlike all the other weeks in the year, I wasn’t allowed to go to a movie on Good Friday night. Finally getting to wear my new Easter Sunday outfit, I helped at the church breakfast after the sunrise service. Then I put on my choir robe to sing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus with the entire congregation standing. Every year the days leading to Easter evoke memories and gratitude for all the times I’ve taken the Holy Week journey and joined others to say, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”

Lenten Experience

by Sue Malenick

Years ago, when my sons were in grade school, I asked them if they’d be interested in attending a Good Friday service at our parish.

Thank you to Karen, Carol, Marge, and Sue. These four women are participants, along with others, in Lord of Life’s Spiritual Writing group. This group explores writing as a spiritual practice. Participants are free to explore spirituality in various forms without specific assignments or writing during the group sessions. The group offers ideas and inspiration. Writers with or without previous experience meet once a month to share their work in an appreciative, non-critical setting.

No preparation or writing is needed before gathering on the first Saturday of the month from 10-11:30am. There is no cost, yet please register at lordoflife.org/spiritual writing.

Oh my, the experience was powerful. We walked into our church and the altar was bare. No music accompanied the service. There was minimal lighting. The prayers and readings focused on Jesus’ last words, his last breath. A huge, bare wooden cross was brought silently down the aisle and placed on the altar. No closing song occurred. Service ended with the congregation praying in silence, as the lights dimmed even more, and we filed out one-by-one. My sons spoke of this service afterwards; they told me it made them appreciate the beauty & joy of Easter Sunday even more. And it helped them understand what the apostles went through.

MARCH 4/5

Chapter 22

The Birth of the King

MARCH 25/26

Chapter 25 Jesus, the Son of God

MARCH 11/12

Chapter 23

Jesus’ Ministry Begins

MARCH 18/19

Chapter 24 No Ordinary Man

APRIL 1/2

Chapter 26 The Hour of Darkness

APRIL 8/9

Chapter 27 The Resurrection

APRIL 15/16

Chapter 28 New Beginnings

APRIL 29/30

Chapter 30

Paul’s Final Days

MAY 6/7

Chapter 31 The End of Time

APRIL 22/23

Chapter 29

Paul’s Mission

Intro to Part 3 of The Story

by Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem

Christmas in March? Are you kidding me?

Well, no. That’s where the story of the birth of Jesus lands within our journey through The Story. Since last September, Lord of Life has traveled through the entire Old Testament narrative. We’ve heard about familiar characters such as Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Ruth, and David. We’ve heard about less familiar characters such as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The Exodus and the Exile both grabbed our attention. The rise and fall of countless kings was yet another theme.

Through it all, we heard that God was (and is!) faithful. God makes promises and God keeps those promises.

As we hear the story contained in the New Testament for these next few months, we will hear about all the surprising ways God keeps those very promises. While the people rejected God as their king way back in 2 Samuel 8, the story of Jesus is one of “God’s kingdom come,” as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus is a very different kind of king than who the people expected. He’s also a very different sort of Savior than was anticipated, too.

Many of the stories in these coming weeks may be familiar, but I pray we can hear them anew after our encounter with the Old Testament. Like that Christmas in March thing… We don’t actually know when Jesus was born. December 25 was chosen as the date to celebrate Christmas in the year 336. Perhaps hearing the Christmas story in March, apart from our traditional holiday festivities, can give us fresh ears for the amazing and remarkable story of God-with-us and give us renewed hope in our lives of faith.

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 March 6 and April 3 via Zoom. A blessed welcome to all of these newly baptized into the family of God!

DECEMBER

December 3, 2022

Vivian Jo Burrell

Lennox Ann Williams

December 4, 2022

Tatum Dionicio Bolin

Grayson John Lemieux

December 17, 2022

Aria Rosalie Rainey

December 23, 2022

Avery Jade Hardy

Gerald Michael Hardy

Hudson Charles Hardy

JANUARY

January 1, 2023

Emma Raina Bishop

January 7, 2023

Cayden Christopher Ritzer

January 15, 2023

Maverick Oden Lieberherr

January 22, 2023

Charles Henry Denman

Luke Jacob Rizner-Schwartz

Miles Emery Vernon

January 28, 2023

Linnea Marschel Leiby

January 29, 2023

Maxwell David Marcus

BEREAVEMENTS

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

Jen Baldwin and family at the death of her uncle

Norm and Susan Beardley and family at the death of their son, Josh Beardsley

Nancy Carlson and family at the death of her sister, Diane Marx

Thomas Chouinard and family at the death of his father

Joe and Timothy Fournier and family at the death of their wife and mother, Patricia Fournier

Bill Freeland and family at the death of his father, Dale Freeland

Gordon Hasse and family at the death of his wife, Diane Hasse

Julie Laferriere and family at the death of her husband, Jim Laferriere

Jane Laurence and family at the death of her mother, Lois Laurence

Judy Mason, Amy Wagner and family at the death of their husband and father, Jeff Mason

Rob Marx, Sarah Danielski, and Elizabeth Darth and families at the death of wife and mother, Diane Marx

Teresa Moberg and family at the death of her father, James Shiell

Diane Priyatel and family at the death of her brother

Marci Rahne and family at the death of her husband, Kent Rahne

Ruth Rapacz and family at the death of her friend, Gail Boyd

Chris Sanocki and family at the death of his mother, Nina

Brenda Schmitzer and family at the death of her mother, Evelyn Ziegler

Patrick and Loni Spence and family at the death of their sister-in-law, Margie Spence

Julie and Amy Watkins and family at the death of their husband and father, John Watkins

WEDDINGS

January 14, 2023

Kali Dingman & Justin Pinsonneault

Megan Glasow & John Hirsch

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Patrick & Linda Abram

Lodean Albers

Seth & Twila Berge with Bentley & Beckham

Steve & Stephanie Dworak with Olivia & William

Steve & Nancy From

Al Giraud-Isaacson

Edward Holtz

Tom & Sonia Jerue with Ellie & Katie

Jim & Lorrie O’Meara

Marlyn Parris

Justin & Kali Pinsonneault

Jack Schwartzhoff & Cammi Berglin

Sam & Lana Tomandl

Carol Zahn

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. Contact Diane Steffen (dianes@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.org/membership for more information. You are invited to be part of the Lord of Life faith community.

AN INVITATION TO

by Pastor LisaMarie Doerrmann

Holy Week is a time set apart for Christians to walk through the days leading up to Jesus’ death and burial culminating in the resurrection on Easter. When I visited the Holy Land a few years ago, our group literally walked through the same places that Jesus did. Holy Week invites all of us to walk with Jesus to the cross.

We start on Palm Weekend when we remember that Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey to observe Passover. In the Gospel of Mark, we hear the narrative that Jesus is met with crowds waving palm branches and calling out, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” At the Palm Weekend services, we look forward to receiving a palm branch as we enter into the sanctuary as a sign of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. As we leave, we

hold on to those branches as a reminder as we go out into the world.

On Maundy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples, his betrayal, and his arrest at the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Gospel of John 13:1-20, we hear that Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet. The Maundy Thursday service is a powerful reminder that Jesus commands his disciples and all of us, to love one another as he loved them. Jesus’ love for them is Jesus’ love for all of us.

On Good Friday, we remember Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate, his sentencing to death, his torture, crucifixion, and burial. We experience a somber service where we hear the narrative and experience music to enhance our understanding of the agony Jesus bears for each of us.

Holy Week begins with a sense of triumph and crowds gleefully shouting “Hosanna!” then turns to somberness and into the anguish of Jesus’ agony and death. We are brought to the tomb where his dead body is placed.

Easter Weekend is a time when we hear the good news! The Easter proclamation is declared, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Easter is a time when we hear that the tomb is empty! It is the time when Jesus was raised from death into new life. What does that mean for our lives?

It means a lot. It means that Jesus changed the world. He went from Palm Sunday hero to crucified criminal. He went from teacher to servant, washing the feet of his disciples. He went from divine to death, suffering, and dying in a human body. But then, he changed it up again. He went from death to life, conquering

HOLY WEEK

the ultimate barrier between divinity and humanity.

We often hear that Jesus died for our sins, but without the Easter message that Jesus conquered death, the power of sin would still rule us. The power of Jesus’ teaching is let loose on the world, Sin doesn’t have the final say and death isn’t the end. Our imperfections become acceptable, and we are free to love and serve others, just as Jesus did. God meets us here, where we are. Our service to others comes out of God’s love for us, not because we’re trying to earn God’s love.

You are invited to follow the steps and the story of Jesus. Grab a palm, partake of the Last Supper, mourn at the foot of the cross, and celebrate the resurrection. This story is our story. This story is your story. Amen.

Be the change and be changed! This summer make a difference with your time at any of the CYF Summer programs such as Vacation Bible School, Adventure Week, and more. The youth below made a difference in the lives of others and grew in their faith by helping to lead a small group of Summer Stretch middle school students in community service, Bible study, and other activities. Visit lordoflife.org/summervolunteers and lordoflife.org/summerstaff to see all that is offered this summer—there may be an opportunity just right for you!

Back Row (left to right): Middle School Ministry Director Neil Christians, Kaiden Prickett, Wes Kormann, Ethan Smith, Lucas Raske, Justin Holmgren, Sophia Kormann, Amelia Siewert

Front Row (left to right): Paige Raske, Hudson Kinne, Max Miley, Vincent Guadagno, Charlie Chouinard, Gianni Guadagno, Audrey Nistler, Grace Drayton, and Addie Martin

Vincent Guadagno (at left in photo):

“I went through the Summer Stretch program when I was in middle school. As a high school volunteer leader, I had a great experience because I liked being able to build relationships with younger students, as well as helping the community be a better place. I am very excited to be a leader again this year!”

“Through the years as a participant, volunteer, and most recently a staff leader in Summer Stretch, I gained friends, experienced new things, and had a blast while doing it. Being the leader of a group was special. I got to form relationships with the individual campers and got to be the person that, when I was in the camp, kids looked up to. Watching the kids in the group come together as friends throughout the summer is a spotlight for me as a leader. Also, the group of staff was very fun and made the environment more enjoyable.”

Gianni Guadagno (at right in photo):

SERVICE OF HEALING

by Pastor LisaMarie Doerrmann

All who desire God’s healing in any aspect of their lives, and those they care for, are invited to join in a service of prayer for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing.

When we think about “healing” we understand it in a broad way. Everyone needs healing in some dimension of life, whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or relational. The gift of healing is not limited to physical healing, or to those seeking relief for a particular illness or disease. It also refers to those working through stages of grief, coming to terms with lifethreatening illness, or accepting inevitable death.

Lord of Life will host a Service of Healing on March 26 at 7pm. We will offer Holy Communion, comforting prayer, and an opportunity to receive an anointing with the laying on of hands. Come and find God’s love, compassion forgiveness, and grace for you and all people, in all stages of life and faith journeys.

The Gospel of Luke tells us that “Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:2). The practice of laying on of hands has deep roots in the apostolic tradition of healing ministry. Anointing the forehead with oil in the sign of a cross is remembrance of our baptism. These are powerful signs of God’s presence in our lives.

All are invited. Come and be renewed in God’s love.

“Everyone needs healing in some dimension of life, whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or relational.”

A LENTEN PLAYLIST

by Brian Schroeder

The season of Lent invites us to reflect on our lives, and I have always found that music brings me to a reflective place. So here is a playlist I put together of my favorite Lententhemed songs. Some songs you will find have a direct connection to Lenten themes— Ash Wednesday, Christ’s crucifixion, and repentance. Others reflect an openness to listening, serving, and healing. Find the playlist on Lord of Life’s Spotify page, use the QR code at the bottom of this page, or look up these songs on your own:

Dust We Are and Shall Return The Brilliance

The Kingdom is Coming

The Porter’s Gate

Psalm 126 Bifrost Arts

Dawn to Dusk

All Sons & Daughters

Until These Tears Are Gone Young Oceans

Your Peace Will Make Us One

Come Healing

Audrey Assad

Elayna Boynton

We Will Run Gungor

Lord Have Mercy Brady Toops

All of Your Ways Are Peace The Porter’s Gate

Wisdom and Grace

We’ll All Be Free

Bifrost Arts

William Matthews

Spotless / You Have Me Gungor

Hosanna! (Will You Rise?)

Twenty Three

The Porter’s Gate

Aaron Strumpel

Lead Us Back Sojourn

WORSHIP

Saturdays 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.

MARCH

1: Midweek Lenten Worship, 7pm with soup supper preceding Racial Justice Team book study begins and continues every Wednesday in March, 7:30pm

2: Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLs) Faith, Food, and Fellowship, 12-2pm

5: Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

6: Baptism Class via Zoom, 5-6pm

8: Midweek Lenten Worship, 7pm with soup supper preceding

11: Inspired Images, 8am-1pm

12: Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

15: Midweek Lenten Worship, 7pm with soup supper preceding

16: Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLs) Skyrock Farm, 9:30-2pm

19: Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

20: First Communion Instruction, 6-8:30pm

22: Midweek Lenten Worship, 7pm with soup supper preceding

24: Engaged Couples Seminar, 4:45-8:30pm

25: Engaged Couples Seminar, 8:30am-1pm

26: Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

Service of Healing, 7-8pm (See Page 16)

29: Midweek Lenten Worship, 7pm with soup supper preceding

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, specific event times, or severe weather cancellations.

APRIL

1: Palm Saturday Worship, 5:30pm

2: Palm Sunday Worship, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

3: Baptism Class via Zoom, 5-6pm

6: Maundy Thursday Worship, 7-7:45pm

7: Good Friday Family Worship, 10am

Good Friday Worship, 7-7:45pm

8: Easter Saturday Worship, 5:30pm

9: Easter Worship, 8, 9, 10, 11am and 12noon

(No Church School - Worship with Families)

13: Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLs) Faith, Food, and Fellowship, 12-2pm

15: First Communion Instruction, 9-11:30am

16: Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

21-23 Inspired Images Retreat, off-site

22: Prayer Shawl Retreat, 9am-12:30pm

23 Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

30 Church School, 8:30, 9:45, 11am

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).

Stay connected with recurring events:

Alone...Together widows’ group, third Mon.

Alone...Together widowers’ group, second Mon.

C3 Confirmation Ministry, Sun. & Wed.

Canticle Choir, Wed.

Celebrate Recovery, Tues.

Children’s Choirs, Thurs.

Connect Life, second Mon. in person / via Zoom second Tues.

Fellowship with the Fellas, first & third Tues.

FreedomWorks Connection, third Thurs.

Gethsemane Clothes Closet, first & third Sat.

Gethsemane Food Market, Mon.

Griefshare, Tues.

Job Transition Group, first & third Wed.

Living Unbroken Women’s Divorce Group, Wed.

Love to Paint, Tues.

Men’s and Women’s Cancer Support, first Mon.

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

Pause for Prayer, first & third Tues.

Prayer Shawl Ministry, second Thurs.

Ring and Sing, children’s music ministry, Thurs.

Sharing and Caring Hands, second Sat.

Spiritual Writing, first Sat.

Word for Women, Wed.