Peace Notes August 2016 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

AUGUST 2016
Peace Notes
End-of-Summer
Outdoor Worship
at Beebe Lake
Sunday, August 28
5:00 pm Worship - 6:00 PM Potluck
Details Inside

SERMONS
& READINGS
August 7
Interim Pastor Steve Pannkuk, “Fear and Faith 2016”
With God's help we can idenfy our fears, and live fully in faith
as God intends.
Scripture Readings: Luke 12:13-31; Colossians 3:1-11
August 8
Patrick and Jackie Bencke,
“Our mission and ministry in Japan; ELCA Global Mission”
We will hear from our missionaries, Patrick and Jackie Bencke,
and learn about their ministry work in Kumamoto, Japan.
August 14 & 15
Pastor Rick Skare, “Stressed Out!”
In this day’s gospel reading, Jesus is stressed out, just like
when we get stressed out. But Jesus also gives us some stress
relief—He reminds us of what’s essenal.
Scripture Readings: Luke 12:49-56; Jeremiah 23:23-29; Hebrews
11:29-12:2
August 21 & 22
Tyler Strom, Title TBD
Scripture Readings: Luke 13:10-17, Isaiah 58:9b-14, Psalm
103:1-8, Hebrews 12:18-29
August 28 & 29
Pastor Keith Long, “Premium Seats for Sale”
We scramble to secure the best seat available, but Jesus always
prefers the nosebleed secon.
Scripture Readings: Luke 14:1, 7-14; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Pastor Rick Skare, Senior Pastor
Pastor Keith Long, Pastor
Pastor Steve Pannkuk, Interim Pastor
21705 129th Ave. N.
Rogers, MN 55374
(763) 496-2400
(press 3 to leave an emergency
message for the pastor)
Office Hours
Mon-Thurs 8am-4:30pm
Fri 8am-12:30pm
Our Vision Statement
Our vision is to be a community
where everyone knows Christ’s Love
and shares Christ’s Love
with all people.
Our Mission Statement
Christ works through us as we:
Welcome all people to grow in
faith, love and devoon,
Share Christ through word
and deed,
Care for others and the world
God made, and
Work for jusce and peace.
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Contact Jennie Priebe at
(763) 496-2401 or
jpriebe@woplc.org
September newsleer deadline:
August 8, 2016
WordofPeace.org
2

A MESSAGE FROM THE
PASTOR
Interim Pastor, Steve Pannkuk
Tyler Strom Joins the Staff at Word of Peace
We are excited to welcome Tyler Strom as our Minister of
Faith in Acon this month. Tyler will begin his ministry at
Word of Peace on Monday, August 15, and he will serve in
the areas of local and global mission & outreach.
Tyler grew up in Helena, MT and ventured to Gonzaga University
in Spokane, WA where he received his degree Biology.
He served as Director for Youth Ministries at St. Luke
Lutheran Church in Spokane for four years before moving
to Pullman, WA, where he was a University Administrator
at Washington State University. In 2011, Tyler began his
Masters of Divinity studies at Luther Seminary in the distributed
learning program, and he plans to graduate in
May 2017.
Tyler has been serving as Intern
Pastor at St. Andrew’s
Lutheran Church in
Mahtomedi. He loves to drink
coffee, eat cheese, play the
piano, experiment with recipes,
laugh at a good joke, and
meet new people.
Tyler is married to Siobhan, a
veterinarian at Minnetonka
Animal Hospital. They welcomed
their first child, Isla
Grace, to the world on May 29. We are excited to welcome
Tyler and his family to the Word of Peace family later this
month.
This is a delicate time for the human family, Lord Jesus.
We remember when you were here, you wept when
your friend Lazarus died, and out of that grief you
brought him back to life. Give us that hope now too, for
we weep alongside you now, and with the families of
those who have recently been slain. Our hearts ache and
we know your heart aches too. Inspire us with your Spirit
not to live defeated and hopeless, but to live as your redeemed,
called, beloved children. We pray for hatred
and fear to be exnguished forever. Cause shameful acts
of violence to cease and remind us again to live as you
intend, loving God and loving our neighbor. Give us faith
and courage. Come Lord Jesus, and smile on us again.
Amen
A Few Words of Challenge
God has really blessed me with a unique perspective on
current events. My first call was as a solo pastor to Holy
Trinity Lutheran Church in Newton, IA. I was the first
pastor to go through Newton’s Citizen Police Academy,
which was an intense immersion in their training and
daily life. The first time I fired a handgun was at their
shooting range, and when we compared our targets I
happened to be the best shooter in the class! We all had
a good laugh over that. I have a deep respect for our
officers in blue and their many challenges.
Last fall we moved from Spokane, WA to St. Paul, and I
was drawn to Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis.
The experience of being a member there has
given me a unique perspective, and I am able to share
that perspective with you. Redeemer is a beautiful blend
of racial diversity and hands-on mission and ministry in
their community. This obvious fact needs to be lied up
and celebrated: There are level-headed Lutherans of
Color who are commied to healthy dialog around issues
of racism in Minnesota. At the same me let us
celebrate, for their mission and ministry is on the front
lines of poverty and despair in North Minneapolis. They
are your brothers and sisters in Christ! You are their
brothers and sisters in Christ! Together, God is calling us
to learn, grow, serve, and love.
In Christ’s Name,
Pastor Steve Pannkuk
3

Outdoor Worship and
Potluck at Beebe Lake
Sunday, August 28
5pm worship - 6pm potluck and games
Come to Beebe Lake and worship with us in
the beauful outdoors! Bring your boat,
water toys, lawn games, and a dish to pass.
There will be volleyball, horseshoes, and
playground fun for the kids! Music will be
led by our own Sol(e)d Out contemporary
worship band. Join us as we play, sing, worship
and enjoy the outdoors together.
Beebe Lake is located on 10th Street (CR 34) in
St. Michael, between Ibarra Ave. and Garrison
Ave.
BRING A DISH TO SHARE!
Last Name: Bring:
A-F Salad
G-L Main Dish
M-R Dessert
S-Z Beverages
A Leer of Thanks from the
Luther School in Kumamoto, Japan
Brothers and sisters in Christ at Word of Peace Lutheran
Church,
The faculty and management of Luther School in Kumamoto,
Japan wish to express hearelt thanks to you for
your generous financial contribuon aer the Kumamoto
earthquakes. We will carefully use your gi for support of
children of our kindergarten, students of our junior and
senior high school, and students of our college who are in
need of financial support as a result of the disaster. We
will also use your gi toward repair of school facilies
damaged.
The nursery school, kindergarten, junior and senior high,
college, and graduate school were all successfully reopened
by May 13 and we witnessed the smiling faces and
returned hopes of the children and students. We expect
that the return to full usability of facilies at Luther
School will take some me. While we concentrate on repairs,
we are also focusing on safety and assurance.
Thank you again for your support. Please connue to
keep us at Luther School in your prayers. May God’s
abundant grace be with you.
Nobuyoshi Sakane, Director of the Board
Kimihalu Uchimula, Chancellor
4
Bencke Monday is August 8
“Bencke Monday” is a special evening that happens every couple
of years when Patrick and Jackie Bencke come home to
Minnesota to visit family and the church congregaons who
sponsor their work in Japan.
All members and guests are welcome to come and listen to
the Benckes share stories of life as missionaries and the work
they do in Japan. They will also give us an update of how their
community of Kumamoto is recovering from the massive
earthquake that struck their city earlier this year.
The Global Mission Team will be serving BBQ pork sandwiches;
please bring a side dish to share. Dinner will begin at 5:30, followed
by a short presentaon at 6:00 and worship, led by the
Benckes, at 6:30 PM. Ice cream sundaes will be served as usual
following worship. All are welcome!

Save the Date!
Peace Fest Is Back!
Thank you so much for your donaons of
school supplies in July. Your generosity
will help students in our community whose
families are unable to afford the necessary
tools needed for school.
This month’s food needs:
Spaghe Sauce
Tomato Sauce/Paste
Whole/Diced Tomatoes
Donaons may be dropped off at the
CROSS Corner in the North Gathering Area.
Thank you!
Peace Fest is returning to Word of Peace on Sunday, September 11
and Monday, September 12. We will celebrate the beginning of our
fall worship schedule, a new year of church school, confirmaon,
adult educaon, and other programs and events. There will be
food, games, acvies, and social me, as well as informaon
about the coming year at Word of Peace. And, together with our
faith community, we will commemorate the 15 th anniversary of the
terrorist aacks on September 11, 2001. More informaon coming
soon.
“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Day of Service
Sunday, October 2
This year, Word of Peace will parcipate in “God’s Work. Our
Hands.” Day of Service on Sunday, October 2. This event gives us an
opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love
our neighbor. We will put our faith into acon by engaging in service
acvies in our neighborhoods and surrounding communies.
We will be arranging a number of family-friendly and ability-friendly
opportunies to serve at the church and in our community for the
day. Watch for more informaon about this event and the opportunity
to purchase a “Gods Work. Our Hands.” t-shirt to show your
support on the day of service.
Understanding the
Scholarship Fund
Support of educaon has long been a
hallmark of Lutherans and Lutheran Congregaons.
The Scholarship Fund provides
grants to individuals, in part or in
full, for tuion and/or fees associated
with preschool, Chrisan college, seminary,
and other post secondary educa-
on.
If you are commied to supporng educaon
and would like to find out more or
contribute to the Word of Peace Endowment
Scholarship Fund, please contact
the church office at 763-496-2400 or visit
WordofPeace.org/Endowment.
Three Rivers Chorale
Is Making a Comeback!
The Three Rivers Chorale will begin
rehearsing for the 2016-17 season beginning
Monday, September 19. This
Rogers area community choir, directed
by Michael Sahlen, was formed in
2001 to provide an opportunity for
Rogers area singers to parcipate in a community choir that would
perform music of a high caliber. The Chorale will provide area residents
with cultural opportunies to hear great choral music and
sound.
Word of Peace hosts this musical outreach to the community. For
more informaon, contact Michael Sahlen at msahlen@woplc.org
or (763) 496-2412.
5

Interim Pastor Steve Pannkuk Says Farewell
Thank-You Celebraon on August 14
Sunday, August 14 will be Pastor Steve Pannkuk’s last
Sunday with us as Interim Pastor. We thank Pastor Steve
for his supporve, encouraging, and enthusiasc ministry
with us over these past three months.
We will have an opportunity to say thank you and farewell
to Pastor Steve at the 8:30 and 10:00 AM worship
services on August 14. Please join us!
Reflecons from Pastor Steve
Thank you for welcoming me into your church and allowing
me the opportunity to be your Interim Pastor. You encouraged
me to be the person and pastor that God has
created me to be. I leave feeling blessed and inspired, and
once again my call has been strengthened and renewed.
I have observed and experienced healthy relaonships
between staff, pastors and the people at Word of Peace.
You may know this already, but let me name what I’ve
experienced first-hand. You have pastors and staff that
deeply care and strive to be aware and li up all in prayer.
This is very impressive given the size of this church! At
the same me, I have observed and experienced a hospitality
at Word of Peace that welcomes the visitor and invites
them to become one of you. You live out the good
news of Jesus Christ in your family and your community,
your workplace and your church. Keep on growing and
learning, sharing and caring, for God is in your midst.
I have also observed and experienced how passionate you
are when it comes to supporng ministry that reaches out
to the wider community. In many ways Vacaon Bible
School was a powerful example. Seeing your whole team
in acon for “our children” was a real highlight, and I
know God is going to harness this energy for other ministries
throughout the year.
Interim Ministry is like gardening throughout the summer.
What a joy it is to plan and prepare, long before the
harvest. As an Interim Pastor I feel like I’m leaving before
the harvest, but I leave knowing that it is in good hands.
Thank you for working alongside me in God’s garden at
Word of Peace. It has been holy me, and I celebrate it in
prayer.
Pastor Steve
“Carrie On” 5K is Saturday, August 13
The 7th Annual “Carrie On” 5K is being held once again to celebrate the life of
Word of Peace member Carrie Ann Lorman, who lost her life in a tragic car accident
in December 2009.
Visit the race website at carrieon5k.com to find the link to register. Both runners
and walkers are encouraged to parcipate, and all proceeds from the race will
remain in the Rogers Community. Contact Sue Stensrud, Acng Race Coordinator,
at 612-201-4994 or ssstensrud@yahoo.com for more informaon.
6

Children’s Ministry
We have spent the past nine months redefining roles and creang intenonal direcon in
our Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. Clearly, things are working well here, and families
are parcipang in huge numbers. But on the staff end, how can we make things more efficient?
How can we work together in this giant shared ministry while meeng the needs of
the thousands of people with whom we work on a weekly basis?
We have lots of excing dreams for creang the best faith formaon experience that we
can for all members of your family. We want to respect busy schedules while challenging
you to grow and dig deeper in your own faith. The message of Jesus is life changing, and we
are so excited to share it with you!
The Children, Youth and Family Ministry Staff:
Kari Osmek
Interim Director of Children,
Youth & Family Ministry
Kari Osmek, Interim CYF Director
Marcus Eads, Director of Youth Ministry
Sheldon Way, Director of High School Ministry
Megan Moen, Confirmaon Coordinator
Dawn Saxton, Director of Children’s Ministry
Lisa Buck, CYF/Children’s Ministry Administrator
Rachel Smith, Director of Family Ministry
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
August 28 & 29 During All Worship Services
The beginning of school, college, and graduate school is right around the corner!
Students of all ages and teachers of all ages and places are invited to bring in your
backpack, briefcase, or school bag to worship and receive a blessing to begin your
new academic year. God is with us everywhere we go!
Youth Ministry
Upcoming Youth Events : MS = Middle School | HS = High School
Subscribe to the Middle School and/or High School email newsleer! Go to wordofpeace.org/subscribe
MS: MSM.AM, August 7 and 21
Food, devoons and games from 10-11 AM in the
Youth Room.
MS/HS: Valleyfair, Wednesday, August 3
Cost is $35 and includes admission + bus transportaon.
All youth must provide a signed and completed Word of
Peace Health & Registraon form (located on the wall
outside the Youth Ministry Office). Deadline to sign up is
August 1.
MS/HS: Youth Gaga Ball League, August 1 and 15
Join us from 1:00-2:30 PM at the gaga pit. Gatorade and
ice water will be provided. All skill levels are welcome!
HS: Wednesday Night Bonfires
Join us on August 3 and 17 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the fire
pit. Snacks, games, and good conversaon!
HS: Confirmaon Junior Guides Wanted
Are you a high school student interested in being a Confirmaon
Junior Guide this year and developing your
leadership skills? Contact Sheldon Way at
sway@woplc.org for more informaon.
7

Now you can give whenever
and wherever it suits you…
in 2 minutes or less!
Introducing a
simpler way to give.
Text woplc to 77977 – you will receive a link to
our Pushpay giving page. Enter a few giving details
and you're done!
-OR-
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can easily give
online at wordofpeace.org/give.
-OR-
You can also download the Pushpay app to make
giving even faster!
If you have been accustomed to giving online through Direct Giving, we will be transitioning to Pushpay now
and phasing Direct Giving out in August. So make the switch to Pushpay today!
Need Help?
For technical help with Direct Giving or Pushpay, contact Jennie Priebe at jpriebe@woplc.org or (763) 496-
2401. You may also contact Pushpay Support at care@echurchgiving.com or (425) 256-7760.
For questions about your financial giving, contact Linda Thomas at lthomas@woplc.org or (763) 496-2407.
Seniors
Rogers Senior Center: 12913 Main
Street. Open 9:00am-4:30pm Monday-
Thursday and 9:00am-3:00pm Friday.
Coordinator, Liz: (763) 428-0939/
edirks@rogersmn.gov.
Senior Shop Rogers Bus—Thursdays at
10am, $1.00 per rider. Assistance provided
with groceries. Contact Judy:
(763) 428-7657.
Jammers Potluck & Music—Sunday,
August 7, 1-5pm (eat at 4pm). Bring a
dish for potluck and enjoy free entertainment
from local musicians. Contact
Dave: (763) 428-4217.
Weekly Exercise Class: Mondays at
11am at the Rogers Senior Center. Silver
Sneakers members are free, nonmembers
$1.00 per class. Quesons:
Call Instructor Lori Schoenborn: 612-
636-0207.
8
Word of Peace Kids-Care Bus takes
seniors shopping at Ridgedale. The
next trips are August 9 and October 11.
$1.00 round trip. Call Judy to sign up,
(763) 428-7657.
Driver Improvement Program: Four
hour refresher for $22. Friday, Aug. 19,
9 AM - 1 PM at the Rogers Senior Center.
Call (888) 234-1294 to sign up.
Million Dollar Quartet at the Old Log
Theatre: Wednesday, Oct. 5. This Tony
Award Winning Musical is the true story
set on December 4, 1956, when an
extraordinary twist of fate brought
ELVIS PRESLEY, JOHNNY CASH, JERRY
LEE LEWIS and CARL PERKINS together
at Sun Records for the greatest jam
session ever! Depart Rogers Community
Room at 10:45 am, enjoy lunch at
the theater’s restaurant before show
begins at 1:30 pm. Cost is $65 and includes
bus transportaon, lunch, and
show. Call Liz at 763-428-0939 to sign
up by September 16.
Games at the Senior Center: Bridge:
Mondays at 1 PM. Cribbage: Wednesdays
at 1 PM. Mah Jongg: Fridays at
9:30 AM. Texas Canasta: Tuesdays,
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 1 PM. 500:
Tuesdays at 1:00 PM. Billiards: Tuesdays
at 10:00 AM and Thursdays at
1:00 PM. Quesons? Call Liz: (763) 428-
0939.
Please contact Judy Hanson at (763)
428-7657 for resource, community or
general informaon for seniors.
To subscribe to the Rogers Senior
Newsleer, call (763) 428-0939. Or,
read it online at www.rogersmn.gov/
seniors-home.

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9

ROCKIN’ ROGERS DAYS
Thanks to our Parade Crew & Volunteers!
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
ROGERS, MN
PERMIT NO. 9
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
SUMMER WORSHIP
SCHEDULE
Sundays at
8:30 & 10:00 AM
Mondays at 6:30 PM