Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, MN September/October 2022 COMPASS
CompassSeptem b er/October2022 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. 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, David Orwoll, Noreen Roehl, Laurie Schultz, The Noun Project. Copyright © 2022 Lord of Life Lutheran Church /lordoflifelutheranlordoflife.org/lolcyf/lordoflifeluth/lordoflife/cyf_lordoflife 3–5 Reading the Bible Is a Good Thing 6–7 8–9 Good Courage Farm Contemplative Community At the WellBible Reflection Make a Difference Love 10–11 TABLE OF CONTENTS 12–13 Medical Debt Forgiveness Racial Justice Initiative 14–15 16-17 18–19 20 Amos 5:24 Baptisms Bereavements, Weddings, Welcome to New Members 2 Welcome Discover Your Story Visual Timeline Summer Memories September/October Calendar of Events Food Truck Festival Trunk or Treat
As the seasons shift from summer to fall, there is an air of change all around us. Leaves change color. Harvest is completed. School begins. We anticipate something new and different. This, then, is a great time to introduce you to the renewed Compass you have in front of you. This new format will go into topics more deeply, provide more information and updates for the coming weeks, and offer ways for you to connect with God’s mission for the Lord of Life community.
Thanks for taking the time to explore Compass this month. I think you may learn something new, be encouraged in your faith, and find delight in the God made known in Jesus Christ.
Each of us is bombarded with so many messages and so much information on a daily basis that it can be difficult to remember it, let alone keep it straight. Hopefully, Compass will be a resource and reference for you as it arrives every other month. This issue includes important information about the exciting opportunity to engage The Story, details on ministries of Lord of Life, life events, upcoming opportunities, and heartwarming stories.
3 WELCOME
The Story is a condensed chronological Bible that takes the words of the Bible and presents them in chapters, as we would typically read a book. Along with having copies of The Story available for people to purchase for their personal use, Lord of Life is also producing a study guide. The study guide is perfect to use individually, as a family, or in a small group. Our life of worship for these months will be shaped by the content of each week’s chapter of The Story. The Bible texts heard in worship will be from each week’s chapter, as another way to hear God’s amazing story together. Children in church school and youth and adults in Bible studies will also dive into The Story each week. This fall, we will start with the creation stories from Genesis, hear about God’s promises to Abraham and Sarah, and follow their family tree all the way
Life in the church brings a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Faithful people can deeply hold different views and engage in deep disagreements.
The challenge comes in just how we read the Bible. For example, when I meet with a couple planning their wedding, instead of handing them a Bible and saying, “Here you go. Choose your readings,” I’ll give them a list of possible readings that are fitting for a wedding ceremony. While a couple can choose something that’s not on the list, they appreciate having a starting point for their big day.
Is a Good Thing
We trust that Scripture holds importance for our lives of faith, but it can sure be hard to know just how to get at it.
One topic about which I have never heard any disagreement, however, is that it is a good idea to read the Bible. Regardless of the varied views of Christ followers, there sure seems to be unanimity that there is something important about the Bible that makes it worth taking the time to read and learn from.
4 by Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem (joel@lordoflife.org)
In the same way, just handing someone a Bible and saying, “Here, you should read this,” isn’t super helpful. Many people have tried to read the Bible by beginning with Genesis, making it through Exodus, and then giving up in holy frustration by the time they get to Leviticus.
As a way to help us all make sense of Scripture, Lord of Life will be using a very helpful resource called The Story from September through next May.
Reading the Bible
The Story:
timeline,Your“DiscoverpeeksneakofStory”inavisualseePage16!
In September and October, Lord of Life will have books available for purchase. Books cost $7. Lord of Life’s study guide for The Story will be available, free of charge, as well.
5 through King David. We’ll take a break in December as we celebrate Christmas. Then we’ll pick up The Story with King Solomon in January and move through the rest of the Old Testament. We’ll get to the birth of Jesus and hear about his ministry, culminating in his resurrection which we will (of course) celebrate on Easter. Then we’ll hear about the formation of the early church and the rest of the New Testament into the spring. Through this incredible journey, we’ll see how the Bible is not a book, but a library with many different genres of literature. We’ll see how different cultures and contexts understood God’s presence and purpose through the millennia. We’ll hear time and again how God makes and keeps some very big promises. And we’ll be drawn closer to Jesus Christ, the One in whom we trust and believe. My hope is that we will be affirmed in our belief that reading the Bible is a good thing and that we will be better equipped in knowing how to read the Bible. I think we’ll run into a few surprises, have a few questions answered, and have even more questions to ask. This promises to be a lively and faith-filled adventure. I pray that you will dive into The Story to hear God’s promises and be transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ!
Reading the Bible is a good thing! I hope you agree.
For a
—Laurie Schultz, Lord of Life member reflecting on the Contemplative Community day of retreat
“Do you ever experience something so special that you put it in your memory bank so you can relive it again in the future? I had one of those experiences at Good Courage Farm. We sat in a circle in an old concrete silo, able to see white clouds floating above, singing songs of praise as a gentle breeze came in the door and carried our song up towards heaven. The day was filled with a quiet calm full of energy and God’s presence. Wonderful!”
6
• learn more about the history and tradition of Christian spirituality?
Another spiritual practice we invite you to explore is spiritual writing. A new group is being formed beginning in October and you are invited. For more details, please visit lordoflife.org/spiritualwriting.
•
• feel a deeper connection to other Christians who are actively exploring and living out their faith?
At the end of their 9-month learnings
Do you have a longing in your heart to:
this past June, Good Courage Farm was the location for Lord of Life’s Contemplative Community’s day of retreat. Beginning with “Pie + Prayer” at 9am, the day was a gift to spend time with one another, creation, and the Holy Spirit. Fellowship, songs of praise and lament, and the prayer practices of Lectio Divina and the Daily Examen were also Goodexperienced.CourageFarm is a place where neighbors of all faiths and none gather to work for food justice and to witness God’s renewing love for all of creation. At Good Courage, friends of God and God’s good earth gather in worship, fellowship, community building, and labor.
• have a greater connection with God? respond calmly to the needs of the broader community?
It is a non-profit agrarian ministry in central Minnesota located on the ancestral homelands of the Wahpekute Dakota. Good Courage Farm is blessed to be in partnership with Episcopal Church in Minnesota and the larger faith-based food and agriculture movement. Embedded in the beauty, abundance and travail of farming, Good Courage offers hospitality and space for service, sacrament, and sabbath. Visit goodcourage.farm to learn more!
YOU ARE INVITED by Contemplative Discipleship Director KarenWight Hoogheem (karenwh@lordoflife.org)
7
If these questions resonate with you, you are invited to learn spiritual practices that can deepen your relationship with God and each other. Together, participants will grow a sense of community by praying, reflecting, and responding to Jesus’ call to follow. All registrants will receive The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality by Carl McColman. Beginning on September 10, Saturday classes (9-10:30am) will be co-facilitated by Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren and me. Cost is $25. Registration is open until 5pm on September 30 or until the group is full. Please welcome the Holy Spirit to guide you in considering participation in the Contemplative Community. More details, along with the registration link, are at lordoflife.org/transformation.
Entering its third year, Lord of Life’s Contemplative Community for Spiritual Transformation and I invite you to reflect on the following questions.
8 Bible ATReflection—THE WELL
³ Jesus left Judea and started back to Galilee. 4 But he had to go through Samaria. A thousand years before Jesus, the Jewish nation of Israel was a united country. But having been overrun by foreign powers, by Jesus’ time there are three distinct areas: Judea in the south, Samaria in the middle, Galilee in the north. Galilee and Judea maintain a strong Jewish identity. Samaritans intermarry with the Assyrians, and their descendants become less purely Jewish. The Judeans and Galileans see the Samaritans as inferior; they are prohibited from having any contact with them. Jesus wants to go from Judea to Galilee. The fastest way to make the trip is through Samaria. Religious leaders making the journey went around Samaria. It added a day to the trip, but they avoided associating with the Samaritans. Jesus takes the shortcut. But not because he’s in a hurry. by Pastor Emeritus Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren (peter@lordoflife.org)
The Bible is a story. But unlike other stories, understanding the context in which a Biblical text is set can lead readers to a deeper meaning. Let’s look at just a few verses from John 4.
In the first place, she was a Samaritan, which as we’ve already seen, made her an untouchable for Jews. Secondly, she was a woman. Women had no place in public life. A man would never talk in public to a woman he didn’t know. She was a Samaritan and a woman, but that was not all. Most women made their trips to the well in the early morning when it was cool. They would greet one another and talk. The fact that this woman showed up at noon, the hottest time of the day, means she has done something that has made her an outsider. She’s the trifecta : a Samaritan, a woman, and an outcast. And Jesus talks longer to her than he does in any other conversation in the KnowingBible. the context in which the story is set shows us that no one is excluded from Jesus’ attention.
5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. Jesus goes to the Samaritan city of Sychar and sits down by the well. In Verse 6, we read that Jesus is tired. The text says it was 12 noon. We can feel Jesus’ sweating. He is tired and hot. We know that feeling. John wants us to know that Jesus is human.
Questions to ask anytime you read the Bible: • Who is the author? • Who is the original audience? • What was the message to the original audience? • What is the genre of writing? • When did this happen? • Where does it happen? • What happens right before and right after the text?
9
7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” This doesn’t seem like that big a deal to us. But at that time and place it was unheard of that Jesus would speak to her at all. For three reasons.
The most recent campaign against medical debt was branded as “Love Your Neighbor” because debt could be drilled down specifically to families who live in the Upper Midwest. Recently announced by Pastor Joel in worship, those results are shown in the infographic on the facing page. Lord of Life’s congregation listened to the need and answered the Holy Spirit’s call. Gifts ranged from $5-25,000 during the “Love Your Neighbor” campaign. Specifically for Minnesota, there were 4,838 families with $3,475,648 in forgiven medical debt. Imagine the joy and relief that happens when an individual or family opens a letter and finds their medical debt forgiven!
This is a story about the Holy Spirit at work in the hearts of many at Lord of Life and in the greater community.
The Holy Spirit did not stop with Lord of Life’s involvement. Another “Fruit of the Spirit” resulted in the formation of THEEAlliance Forgiving Medical Debt. THEEAlliance powerfully aligns other faithbased organizations to relieve families of medical debt. Initiated by Skip and supported by several faith-filled members of Lord of Life and the greater community, THEEAlliance is a coalition of Minnesota churches (not all of them are Lutheran), who join together against medical debt.2 Together these seventeen organizations— one of them is Lord of Life—have been making a difference for many families oppressed by medical debt.
Did you know every day, 79 million Americans need to choose between paying medical bills and providing for basic needs like food and shelter?
In partnership with RIP Medical Debt, Lord of Life has helped remove this terrible choice for many. Skip followed the Holy Spirit’s urging further by learning more about the process then approached Lord of Life leadership to be a part of erasing medical debt. “One dollar can pay off $100 of medical debt,” Skip states, “which means if we pool our financial gifts millions of dollars of financial debt may be forgiven.”
It all began on August 26, 2019. Long-time member Skip Lieser shares, “I even record the date on my calendar at home.” On that day, Skip felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to tune in on his car radio to a religious radio station. He listened to an interview about RIP Medical Debt, whose mission as a non-profit 501(c)3 is to pay off medical debt for families in the United States.1
To learn more about RIP Medical and THEEAlliance and Lord of Life, particularly data with each year’s campaign results, you are invited to visit these websites: 1ripmedicaldebt.org/about 2theealliance.org/interfaithalliance 3lordoflife.org/medicaldebt
10
Medical Debt
MAKEForgiveness—A
A future campaign is anticipated for November/ December of this year. With the Holy Spirit’s direction— perhaps you will “tune in” as Skip did, become involved, and make a difference.3
DIFFERENCE by Bev (bevm@lordoflife.org)Mello
11 $98,515 Lord of Life financial gifts $15,196,978 Medical debt forgiven 17,706 Families forgiven of their medical debt
Justice is everywhere in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God calls Moses to persuade Pharaoh to free the enslaved Israelites. (Exodus 6:10-13)
Jesus continues this narrative in the Gospels, speaking against the corruption of religious and political leaders (Matthew 23), income inequality (Mark 12:41-44), and upending stereotypes—most notably in the story of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37)
And the Lord of Life community is providing opportunities to step into our calling as Christians who care about justice.
So, is it important for Christians to care about justice? The answer is a resounding yes!
Through these events, we learned that the Holy Spirit was nudging us to expand our understanding of justice since all matters of justice in our world are interconnected. We hosted One Body, Many Members: a weekly Bible study throughout the season of Lent that explored antiracism, economic privilege, gender and sexuality, and religious diversity. This was an illuminating moment for the Racial Justice Initiative. We found that many of the people in this community are hungry to learn and see why justice matters to Christians. This weekly Bible study allowed us to hear from the community about topics they would be interested in exploring in the future. For example, there was particular interest in finding ways to support our LGBTQ+ siblings, especially by navigating the current discourse on gender pronouns. If we learned anything in One Body, Many Members, it’s that God celebrates our unique identities and calls us to embrace the full humanity of the people around us—so keep an eye out in October as we host an event on this topic. We also heard from the community that they would benefit from a space where parents and teens can talk about racial justice together. To create this space, we’ll be hosting a discussion on the book-turned-movie, The Hate U Give, later in the year. These events center around the idea that we are all learning together. We understand that we’re going to say the wrong thing sometimes, and we offer each other (and ourselves!) grace when that happens. So, whether you’re talking about justice for the first time or the millionth time, I invite you to take part in these discussions. As we forge new friendships and learn new ways of understanding our role as justice-minded Christians, we can show God’s love more fully to the world. ofUnderstandingOurJustice
Expanding
by Brian Schroeder, Emerging Worship Leader and Social Media Specialist (brians@lordoflife.org)
12
God speaks through the prophets relentlessly about justice, even telling the people that God despises their worship if justice does not “roll down like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
“But let justice roll down like water, and righteousness
Lord of Life’s Racial Justice Initiative began in 2020, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. As this event shocked the world, people at Lord of Life wanted to learn more, do more, and make a positive difference in our world. In its first year, the Racial Justice Initiative hosted listening sessions, held conversations about books and movies, and grew in community together. We have begun to build deep connections, working together to show Christ’s love to the world.
13 righteousness like an ever-flowing stream!” Amos 5:24
JUNE June 12, 2022 Charles Andrew Hricovec Lincoln Gerald Kosel Larsa Signe Sheen June 19, 2022 Rylee Mae Enger Rowan Charles Landauer June 26, 2022 Carson William Drag Liam Robert Johnson Ava Marlys Miller JULY July 6, 2022 Maya Kyung-Soon Guzman July 9, 2022 Freya Lynn Becher Griffin Edward Becher Asher Nikolas Gentz Malia Rose Wolfe July 10, 2022 Marco Moss Barrozo Leo Paul Ryan July 23, 2022 Clarence Walter Cole July 24, 2022 Crew Sullivan Lothspeich July 31, 2022 Emersyn Rae Dahlberg Rowan Marie Dahlberg Kinsley Mae Freudenberg Henry Paul Sanderson 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 September 12 and October 3. If you are Lord of Life members and have a baptismal or wedding photo, please consider sharing it via email to bevm@lordoflife.org. Depending upon space available, it may be featured in an upcoming ACompass.blessed welcome to all of these new members of God’s family! TISMS 14
July 16,
15
Prayers of sympathy for those grieving the loss of a loved one, may they be comforted in the promise of the resurrection. Mary Backstrom and family at the death of her father Tom Bahl and family at the death of his father, Donald Bahl Dom Barber and family at the death of his brother Chuck & Pat Berger and family at the death of their daughter, RobertLeslie A. BergerDurkee,Emma Grafstrom, and Jacob Grafstrom and family at the death of wife and mother, Carla Durkee Jim Klande and family at the death of his mother, Marianne Klande Lee Kollos and family at the death of his mother, Alice Kollos Darlene Mickelberg and family at the death of her husband, KarenGordy MickelbergRobertsand family at the death of her husband, Bill Roberts Bob Rodenberg and family at the death of his wife, Kelly Rodenberg Kim Thein and family at the death of her mother, Marlyce Johnson Robyn Vidor and family at the death of her father
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 become a part of the Lord of Life faith community. & Maalis & Gabriel Nkumu 2022 Taylor Guckeen & Maxwell Biegert
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
WEDDINGS June 18, 2022 Megan Backstrom
BEREAVEMENTS
Brent & Bonnie Peterson Karen Roberts
Aaron Simons July 9, 2022 Erika
Your Your DISCOVER ST OR Y HEAR THE STORY : A YEAR IN THE BIBLE September 10/11 The Story Kickoff Weekend! October CREA TION DELIVTHEERANCEBATTLEBEGINSA FEW GOOD MEN AND W OMEN THE BIRTH OF THE KINGTHE RESURRECTIO NN EW BEGINNINGS A KINGDOM T ORN IN TW O November Januar y Februar y March April December Break for Christmas May 13/14 Celebration Weekend! 16
“TheseFlashback!pics show me as Luther Park staff along with some of the campers in my first cabin.”
The starlit conversations. The walks from one activity to another. The loud, raucous fun that is had. Voices filling the air singing around a campfire. The sunset over the waters.
17
Camping ministry is a great experience for those young and old, and often has lasting impacts—not just for the counselor. Just ask the many youth who went to Shores of St. Andrew this past summer. Getting out of the normal rhythms and routines has a way of awakening the soul to God’s presence.
For instance, before becoming a pastor, I spent four amazing summers working at Luther Park Bible Camp in Danbury, WI. It was a powerful experience to be in an intentional Christian community ministering to children, youth, and families—forming lasting relationships and getting to explore and appreciate the wild, wonderous world.
There is no right or wrong answer here, just an awareness to how you prefer to show up in the world. Myself, I tend to be more structured. I like order and routine, and when that gets shifted it takes me a little while to adapt. Yet, when I open myself to the possibilities of the unexpected or going outside of my comfort zone, there are deep and lasting spiritual moments that occur.
Coincidentally, I also got to build relationships with many members of Lord of Life because of the connection that Lord of Life had with Luther Park in those years. One of the first cabins that I counseled was a group of middle school girls from Lord of Life. They were full of energy and life, and taught me so much about how God can be at work in the world. I’ll never forget the last night of the week, where we “snuck out” of our cabin after lights out to see the stars in the big field. All of the other cabins just happened to be there, too . . . but there we lay on the ground with our heads together, looking up, and talking about God, faith, and life. Often, the most powerful moments in camping ministry occur when you least expect them.
Do you like structure and routine or are you more of a free spirit?
SUMMER MEMORIES
by Pastor Kaitlyn (kaitlynf@lordoflife.org)Forster
“Young women from my first cabin are now adults. I have the privilege of continuing those relationships and walking alongside some of them in these new chapters of life— including officiating weddings and baptisms. It is such a joy to be able to see where God has led them since those days and how the love of Christ urges them on.”
*OWLs
18 SEPTEMBER 7: Getting Ready for Confirmation 8: OWLs* Faith, Food & Fellowship 10: Contemplative Community (see Pages 6 & 7) 10: Childcare Training 11: Church School & Childcare Open House (8am-12pm) 11: Church School & Confirmation Leader Training (or 9/14) 12: Baptism Class 14: Church School & Confirmation Leader Training (or 9/11) 14: Word for Women begins 15: Children’s Choir begins 17: Food Truck Festival (4-7:30pm) 18: Church School classes begins 18: C3 Confirmation Ministry begins 21: C3 Confirmation Ministry begins 22: OWLs* Tour to Marine-on-St. Croix Visit lordoflife.org or call the church office (763.420.5015) for the most up-to-date calendar items and specific event times.
Worship with Lord of Life Saturdays (5:30pm) with Livestream Sundays (8:30, 9:45, and 11am) with Livestream Church School classes begin on September 18. Childcare available for birth - age two during Sunday worship. = Older Wiser Lutherans
direct
Love to Paint, Tuesdays
Children’s Choir, Thursdays, begins September 15
Alone...Together widows’ group, second Monday C3 Confirmation Ministry, begins Sept. 18 or 21
Gethemane Clothes Closet, first & third Saturdays
19 OCTOBER
Prayer Shawl Ministry, second Thursday (except October)
If viewing Compass electronically, hyperlinks have been added to you to a specific page of the website for exact dates and times (especially recurring events).
Canticle Choir, Wednesdays
Men’s and Women’s Cancer Support, first Monday Men’s Small Groups: Mon. 6pm, Tues. 7am, Sat. 7am
1: Spiritual Writing Group begins 2: Blessing of the Animals (2pm) 1-2: Eighth grade C3 Confirmation Ministry Retreat 3: Baptism Class 6: OWLs* Faith, Food & Fellowship 8: Third Grade Bible Learning Event (or 10/24) 8: Contemplative Community (See Pages 6-7)
Pause for Prayer, first and third Tuesdays
8: Prayer Shawl Ministry Retreat
Stay connected with recurring events:
Job Transition Group, first and third Wednesdays
Griefshare, Tuesdays
8-9: Seventh Grade C3 Confirmation Ministry Retreat 10-11: Connect Life begins 14-15: Engaged Couples Seminar 16: LifeGARDEN Pumpkin Patch Harvest after worship (rain date October 23) 20: OWLs* Washington County Historical Society, Stillwater 23: Trunk or Treat (3-5pm)
Sharing and Caring Hands, second Saturday Word for Women, Wednesdays, begins September 14
24: Third Grade Bible Learning Event (or 10/8) 29-30: Affirmation of Baptism worship services 29-30: Presentation of Bibles to Third Graders
Fellowship with the Fellas, first and third Tuesdays FreedomWorks Connection, third Thursday
Celebrate Recovery, Tuesdays
Gethsemane Food Market, Mondays
FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL Saturday, September 17, 4:30-7pm 20 City,AddressNameST00000-0000 NonProfit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 0000 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION 7401 County Road 101 Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313 Lord of Life Loved by God. Sent to Serve. TRUNK OR TREAT Sunday, October 23, 3-5pm Join us againyear!this
