Lord of life lutheran
Octorber 2021
C O M P A S S
M E E T I N G
J E S U S
by Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem (joel@lordoflife.org)
Who is Jesus? That’s an important question for each of us who consider him to be important in some way or another in our lives of faith. How we answer this question uncovers what we think about God, faith, ethics, and life in profound ways. The gospels give us insight as to how to answer the question. • Jesus is a teacher. (Matthew 5:2) • Jesus is a healer. (Mark 10:52) • Jesus is a storyteller. (Luke 15:11-32) • Jesus is a prophet. (Matthew 21:11) • Jesus is the Son of God. (Mark 15:39) • Jesus is the Christ. (Mark 8:29)
MEETING JESUS ........................................................2-3 BIBLE 101: FREEING JESUS.......................................4-5 community life / Mark 10:17-22...................... 6-7 FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN............................... 8-9 Hello, Neighbor! Kickoff Weekend................ 10-11 COntact Us ..................................................................11
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• Jesus is a friend. (John 11:11) • Jesus even says he is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) • He says he is a gate (John 10:7), a shepherd (John 10:11), and a hen (Matthew 23:37). In his book Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg writes, “Images of Jesus matter . . . [T]here is a strong connection between images of Jesus and images of the Christian life. Our image of Jesus affects our perception of the Christian life in two ways: it gives shape to the Christian life; and it can make Christianity credible or incredible.” Whether or not you grew up in the church, it’s very likely that you’ve been aware of Jesus since childhood. Your images of Jesus began to take shape from an early age. Do you still think of Jesus the same way as you’ve grown older or has your answer to the question “Who is Jesus?” changed? In 1 Corinthians 13:11, Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when
teacher healer prophet a gate
a hen
storyteller
Son of God friend the Christ a shepherd
the way, the truth, and the life
I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.” While our childhood images of Jesus are important, it is equally important for us to continue to grow, learn, and mature as we continue to meet Jesus all along life’s journey. Jesus keeps meeting us day in and day out. It’s often in surprising ways. Just as the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus on the very first Easter evening were surprised to meet Jesus (see Luke 24:13-35), you may be surprised at when and how Jesus meets you today. Always remember this: as the Savior of the world, Jesus has saved you. You do not need to worry one iota about that part of who Jesus is and what he came to do. Jesus loves you. Jesus has saved you. And Jesus calls you to follow him, to meet him in your daily life, and to love God and neighbor.
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F R E E I N G
J E S U S
by Neil Christians (neilc@lordoflife.org)
In Acts 9:3-5, a man named Saul had an encounter with the risen Christ. Saul was soon to be known as the Apostle Paul who is responsible for many of the writings in the New Testament. In this encounter, Saul is blinded by a great light and he hears a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul responds by asking, “Who are you?” Interesting question. Saul doesn’t ask, “What are you doing?” or “Why are you talking to me?” Saul asks, “Who are you?”
Bible 101
In a new book by Diana Butler Bass called Freeing Jesus, she notes that this question of “who” is a relationship question. It is the question we try to answer whenever we meet
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someone new. We want to find out “who” is sitting across from us. It invites us into a relationship. This invitation into a relationship is for all of us. We must all ask ourselves, who is Jesus?
I encourage you all to pick up this book, Freeing Jesus. It explores this question of who Jesus is as friend, teacher, savior, Lord, way, and presence. Rooted in biblical passages, it explores who Jesus is and what this might mean for our daily lives. The chapter that captivated me was Jesus as savior. Bass writes about Mark 10:17-22 (see full text on Page 7) where a man ran up to Jesus and asked
him what he must do to inherit eternal life. We find Jesus isn’t concerned about following the rules or jumping through hoops. Jesus cares about how we live our lives in response to a God who loves us. Like this man, we are called to follow Jesus. We are called to follow Jesus’ example of living a life of love for God and for each other. Jesus saves this man from a life of rule-following and box-checking. Jesus saves this man so he might live a life of love for God and others.
slaves, soldiers, peasants, fishermen, farmers, prisoners, soldiers, the sick, the blind, the lame—when they encountered Jesus, they found salvation, the wholeness, the healing, the oneness with God that had only been the stuff of longing. Every miracle, every act of hospitality, all the bread broken and wine served, everything that Jesus did saved people long before Rome arrested and murdered him. Jesus was born a savior, and he saved during his entire life.
Jesus saved all sorts of people before he died on the cross. When Jesus healed, they experienced God’s salvation. They followed him and their lives were transformed. Children,
Following Jesus can bring this to your life as well. All you need to do is start by asking, “who is Jesus?” Who is Jesus for you?
re fl ec ti o n q u es ti o n s • If someone asked you, who would you say Jesus is? • What does following Jesus mean to your life? Your choices? Your actions? • What is one way you can follow Jesus today?
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C O M M U N I T Y b a p tis ms
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) or visit lordoflife.org/baptism.
August 1, 2021 Willow Westphal August 7, 2021 Aria Rae Connelly Camilla Pollei Shermock August 14, 2021 Lukas Warren Schleppenbach August 15, 2021 Caiden Rose Irving August 21, 2021 Ayla Jo Lemoine Jack Henry Moren August 22, 2021 Olivia Miller Sloane Nicole Rodstein August 28, 2021 Camden Scott Broman Jack Michael Broman Norah Danielle Churchill Elisabet Grace Danielson August 29, 2021 Oliver Robert Sanderson
b e r e avements
Prayers of sympathy for those grieving the loss of a loved one; may they be comforted in the promise of the resurrection.
Dan & Shelly Bakken with Brittany and family at the death of their son and brother, Luke Bakken Diane Behm and family at the death of her husband, Bruce Behm Nicole Behm-Koep and family at the death of her father, Bruce Behm Vinnie Brooks and family at the death of his mother
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L I F E
Matt Eich and family at the death of his father Dawn Koenig and family at the death of her sister Tamra Yale and family at the death of her father
w e ddin g s
For details on your wedding, visit lordoflife.org/weddings. To schedule a wedding, contact Wedding Supervisor Michelle Tomlinson (michellet@lordoflife.org ).
August 7, 2021 Rachel Growe & Trevor Bautch August 14, 2021 - Renewal of Vows Elizabeth Haley & Mitchell Anderson August 21, 2021 Christine Pearson & Anthony Caron August 27, 2021 Alison Schneider & Angelo Fruci
w e lc ome in vit at ion
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 Katie Gartzke (katieg@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.
As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?” Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. You know the commandments. Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.” “Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions. —Mark 10-17-22 (CEB) On Pages 4-5, see Bible 101’s reference to these verses. 7
F E E D
M Y
by Al Peterson
The reality of a pandemic has caused so many parts of our lives to be reimagined. Lord of Life has supported Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) for many years through a campaign every October, giving the congregation an opportunity to donate funds to help feed children around the world. This ministry partner needs our support now more than ever. Because of COVID-19 and limitations for volunteers, FMSC has been using a machine for much of the packing. Until volunteers can fully return, your donations will help cover costs associated with this new way of packing plus continue to feed hungry children all over the world. For a special video message from Mark Crea, Executive Director/CEO of FMSC, visit lordoflife.org/fmsc. You are encouraged to prayerfully consider donating online as well as visit a display in the narthex during October. Thank you for your support!
Photos are from an FMSC MobilePack on February 19, 2020. 8
S T A R V I N G
C H
H I L D R E N FMSC is a unique ministry partner where four out of five Lord of Life discipleship practices are used— Learn, Serve, Give, and Invite: • Learn about hunger in the world and the need for children to receive nutritious food • Serve by volunteering at a future packing event—it’s a great family service event • Give your time as a volunteer and give financially • Invite others to partipate, serve, give, and learn 9
e N i g , h o l b o r! l e H
Worship with Canticle Choir and Lord of Life brass; if you like to follow the worship order, have your phone ready to scan a code from the screen
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Visit lordoflife.org/hello to learn about building a tiny house and partnership with “Settled.”
“Jesus is not a politician, lawyer, businessperson, or banker— so who is he?” preached by Pastor Joel during all four worship services September 11/12 Kickoff Weekend. Thank you to all who stopped by the Children, Youth, & Family Open House to learn what’s in store for faith formation. If you weren’t able to worship in person (or online yet)— visit YouTube. And there were donuts!
Thank you to Lord of Life’s Worship Band during 11am worship!
. . . in Fellowship Hall with friends!
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.
PASTORAL STAFF
WORSHIP / CONNECT
Rev. Dr. Joel Wight Hoogheem, Lead Pastor, joel@lordoflife.org
Visit lordoflife.org/worship for the most up-to-date worship schedule.
Rev. Kaitlyn Forster, kaitlynf@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Karen Greimel, ksgreimel@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, davem@lordoflife.org
lordoflife.org
office@lordoflife.org
To connect with an adult ministry representative, contact Karen Nelson (karenn@lordoflife.org). To connect with a children, youth, and family representative, contact Chelsey Grandstrand (chelseyg@lordoflife.org). For all ministry events and calendar items with the most current dates, times, details, event locations, and registrations—visit lordoflife.org.
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Compass is a monthly ministry by Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed by Wallace Carlson Printing using ecofriendly inks. 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 office@lordoflife.org. Credits: Lightstock. Copyright 2021 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
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