Peace Notes-April 2017 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

APRIL 2017
Peace Notes
Get the complete Holy Week
and Easter schedule inside!

WORSHIP PLAN FORAPRIL 2017
APRIL 2 & 3
Building Your Life in Christ: The Church—The Church is infinite and indestrucble,
a diverse and always-in-moon collecon of ‘sent ones’ for the good of God’s crea-
on.
Bible Texts: Luke 10:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
APRIL 9 & 10: PALM SUNDAY
A Holy Week Journey—As we near the end of our Lenten journey, we follow Jesus
through the events of his last week on Earth.
Bible Text: Mahew 21:1-11
APRIL 13: MAUNDY THURSDAY
Experience Wonder—In the act of sharing a simple meal of bread and wine, Jesus
invites us into a full body experience of God’s love.
Bible Texts: Luke 22:14-20; Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
APRIL 14: GOOD FRIDAY
Seven Last Words—We share the seven last words of Christ, as reflected on by
seven lay members of the church.
Bible Texts: Luke 23:34; Luke 23:45; John 19:26-27; Mahew 27:46/Mark 15:34;
John 19:30; Luke 23:46
APRIL 15 & 16: EASTER
Saturday 5:30 PM and Sunday 11:30 AM Services:
Bewildered—Whether it’s out of grief, fear or doubt, the most faithful response
to the resurrecon is to remain near the empty tomb.
Bible Text: John 20:1-8
Sunday 7:30, 9:00, and 10:15 AM Services:
Fear and Great Joy—We live in a world where there is a constant mixture of both
fear and joy. Easter enables us to keep faith and have joy, even in the midst of our
fears.
Bible Text: Mahew 28:1-10; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43
APRIL 23 & 24
Becoming Peace—How do you keep a harmonious, peaceful relaonship with an
unbelieving friend?
Bible Texts: John 20:19-31; 1 Peter 1:3-9
APRIL 30 & MAY 1
Blessed Brokenness—The story of the “Road to Emmaus” is all about where Jesus
promises to be, and it seems Jesus prefers working with broken people, who have
broken dreams, in a broken world.
Bible Texts: Luke 24:13-35; Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Pastor Rick Skare
Senior Pastor
Pastor Keith Long
Pastor of Life & Growth
Krisn Skare
Minister of Spiritual Care
Tyler Strom
Minister of Faith in Acon
21705 129th Ave. N.
Rogers, MN 55374
(763) 496-2400
(press 3 to leave an emergency message for the pastor)
Office Hours
Mon-Thurs 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Fri 8:00 AM-12:30 PM
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@wordofpeace.org
May newsleer deadline:
April 7, 2017
wordofpeace.org
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Palm Sunday
The Celebraon of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Sunday, April 9 | 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 AM
Monday, April 10 | 6:30 PM
Easter Egg Hunt | Sunday at 2:00 PM (see p. 9)
Maundy Thursday
Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples, he gives them
instrucons and the promise of the Holy Spirit to come.
Easter
We celebrate the resurrecon of Jesus
Christ and the promise of eternal life!
Saturday, April 15
5:30 PM
Sunday, April 16
7:30, 9:00, 10:15, & 11:30 AM
Pancake Breakfast
7:30-11:30 AM
Thursday, April 13 | 6:30 PM
Good Friday
Jesus Christ is crucified on the cross for the sins of the world. It is a
day of mourning and of gratude over the extreme sacrifice that he
made for each one of us.
Friday, April 14
Holy Week Walk
10:00 AM, 12:00 & 2:00 PM (see p. 4)
Traditional Service
6:30 PM
The Passion Experience
8:00 PM
Prayer Vigil
6:00 PM - Midnight
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A MESSAGE FROM THE
PASTOR
THE WHOLE EARTH CELEBRATES
JESUS’ RESURRECTION!
Sunday, April 16 th is Easter. It is the
celebraon of our Lord’s resurrec-
on from the dead; the celebraon
of that day when “all will be made
alive in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
It isn’t just humanity that celebrates Jesus’ resurrecon, it is
the whole earth as well. In the Easter story from Mahew’s
gospel, before the stone is rolled away from the tomb, we
read, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake…”
(Mahew 28:2). In this instance, the earthquake is not a destrucve
power, but rather it is a signal to us “that the natural
world itself cannot help but witness to God’s intervenon in
human affairs through Jesus.” (from The Easter Tree by David
Lose)
There are other events in Jesus’ life that the natural world is a
witness to. Mahew also tells of the miraculous star that guided
the magi to Bethlehem. And on Palm Sunday, in Luke’s gospel,
Jesus says to the Pharisees who want to silence the disciples,
“I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout
out.” (Luke 19:40)
With the whole earth being a part of Jesus’ life and resurrec-
on celebraon, it seems appropriate that Earth Day this year
is just a few days aer Easter (April 22). There is a definite connecon
between God and the natural world; between our
faith and the earth. So in this season of Easter and Earth Day,
as we look forward in ancipaon to Spring and Summer, we
are reminded once again of how important the earth is to our
life and faith, and how important it is for us to care for that
which sustains us and witnesses to us.
Easter and Earth Day Blessings to You!
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Pastor Rick Skare
Senior Pastor
P.S. In conjuncon with Earth Day, Word of Peace offers a
“Blessing of the Animals” service (see back page for details).
It’s been fieen years since we first sang John Ruer’s
Requiem at Word of Peace. On Palm Sunday, April 9, we
will perform it for the third me.
Requiem is a beauful work that contains a meless beauty
and a richness of spirit that invites both performer and
audience to enter into a sacred space celebrang both life
and death. This is a piece of music that people should be
familiar with, and if you come to hear it you will have
spent your me well.
Requiem is accompanied by a small ensemble of harp, organ,
flute, oboe, cello and mpani. The score also calls for
a glockenspiel for the central movement but we are using
hand bells instead, thanks to a special agreement with
John Ruer. Guest soloist from the Land of Lakes Choirboys,
Reese Beck, will sing two of the movements.
Please don’t miss this. It will be a wonderful way to start
your Holy Week. A free-will offering will be taken.
Holy Week Walk—Good Friday, April 14
10:00 AM, 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM
Experience the marketplace of Jerusalem, watch Jesus
share a meal with his disciples and join Jesus as he prays
in the Garden of Gethsemane. This worship service is designed
for adults and families of all ages to experience and
parcipate in the sights and sounds of Holy Week. This is a
wonderful opportunity for parents, grandparents, aunts,
uncles, neighbors, and students to worship through drama,
music, and experience.
For more informaon, contact Krisn Skare at (763) 496-
2404 or kskare@wordofpeace.org.

World Religions Field Trip
Sunday, April 30
Join Pastor Keith in exploring Christ in culture in tours
of both a Theravada Buddhist Monastery in Minneapolis
and Minnesota’s Hindu Temple, located right in
our backyard of Maple Grove.
The Schedule
7:30 AM: Meet at Word of Peace (if carpooling)
8:00 AM: Buddhist Temple of Minnesota
3401 N. 4th St., Minneapolis
9:30 AM: Hindu Temple of Minnesota
10530 Troy Ln. N., Maple Grove
11:00 AM: Worship at Word of Peace
12:00 PM: Lunch and discussion at
Clive’s Roadhouse
Space is limited to 15 people. Sign up at the
Informaon Desk or contact Pastor Keith at
klong@wordofpeace.org.
APRIL ADULT FORUMS
Hope in the Eye of the Storm:
Knowing God is Good Even When Life Isn’t
April 23 & May 7 | 9:45 AM in Room 120
This two-part presentaon will be given by Word of
Peace member and emergency chaplain, Steve Carlson.
April 23: Crisis Events
911/emergency response
The chaplain’s role in crisis events
May 7: Asking the Big Quesons
Why do bad things happen?
Why does God allow bad things to happen?
What are human’s and God’s roles when bad
things happen?
Basic Facts and Myths of Memory Loss
Presented by the Alzheimer’s Associaon
April 30 | 9:45 AM in Room 120
If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer's'
disease, memory loss, or demena, it's me
to learn the facts. This program provides informaon
on detecon, causes and risk factors, stages of the
disease, treatment and much more. Presented by the
Alzheimer's Associaon.
Adult Silent Retreat
April 20 & 21 at Pacem in Terris
Unplug, unwind, and be changed through silence and solitude with
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Situated in some of the most beauful acreage of Minnesota,
Pacem in Terris is a facility and organizaon dedicated to providing
guests with an opportunity to encounter sllness in its sanctuary
of silence and solitude, where riches beyond the human imagina-
on await the open heart. It is here that you will detach from the
busyness of the world for a while and become one with nature and
Christ.
Each guest is prayerfully assigned a cabin, or what is referred to at
Pacem in Terris as a “hermitage,” in which they will unplug, unwind,
and be changed through silence and solitude.
Cost: $115 per person, includes food and lodging. Sign up at the
Informaon Desk or contact Pastor Keith at
klong@wordofpeace.org.
For more informaon visit wordofpeace.org/silent-retreat.
New Member Orientaon
Tuesday, April 25
5:30-9:00 PM
Are you curious about what Lutherans
believe? Do you want to make new
friends? Do you want to (officially) join
in the mission and vision of Word of
Peace?
Join us for the next New Member Orientaon! We will:
Meet the pastors
Hear what we believe and how we do ministry
Make and enjoy a meal together, and
Spend me geng to know each other
To register, visit wordofpeace.org/membership or contact Susen
Kay in the church office at (763) 496-2400 or
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A Gathering of Women:
Mugs & Muffins
Saturday, April 29 | 9:30-11:30 AM
Mission Jamaica Thanks You
Word of Peace was well represented in last month’s mission trip to Jamaica,
and what an amazing trip it was! Missionaries included Minster Tyler
Strom, Glenn Nemec, Caren Nemec, Kirsn Carlson, Clark Messenbrink,
and Paige Messenbrink. With your prayers and donaons, the Mission
Jamaica team made a tangible difference in the lives of those in Jamaica:
joy and hope was brought to disabled children at the West Haven Children’s
Home, nearly 500 paents treated at five locaons, a new home
built for a single mom and her eight children.
God is doing wondrous things through Mission Jamaica and we encourage
you to discern if God is calling you to parcipate in global mission work. If
you would like addional informaon, contact Minister Tyler Strom at
tstrom@wordofpeace.org.
Julie Bonde, founder of the Dragonfly Project,
is coming to Word of Peace to share her hopeful
story of how The Dragonfly Project changed
her grief journey. This is an event you won’t
want to miss about how God works in all of us,
no maer what our age. Aer Julie’s presenta-
on we will help assemble cards and keychains
that will carry a message of hope to people
who are grieving.
Muffins, danish, coffee, tea, and juice will be
provided. Due to the nature of this event, registraon
is limited to 75 women. Cost is $15
and the proceeds from this event will offset
the cost of the cards and keychains as well as
support the ministry of Word of Peace.
Registraon forms are available at the Informaon
Desk beginning April 9; please include
your fee when registering. Learn more about
the Dragonfly Project at dragonflyproject.org.
Quesons? Contact Krisn Skare at (763) 496-
2404 or kskare@wordofpeace.org.
BIBLE BLAST!
Start Saving for Peace Market
Our popular churchwide rummage sale is scheduled for June 1 & 2.
Start saving your donaons of gently used furniture, books, clothes,
toys, tools, etc. Hundreds of volunteers will be needed for 2-hour
shis, so mark your calendars now. Invite your friends, neighbors,
family, and everyone you know to this huge sale event!
For more informaon contact Tracy Rowe at (763) 496-2421 or
trowe@wordofpeace.org.
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Help the Word of Peace kids Explore
their relaonship with God by providing
them with a Bible. Look for the tables in
the Gathering Area or donate online at
wordofpeace.org/give.
THANK YOU !

“With what can we compare the kingdom
of God, or what parable will we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown
upon the ground, is the smallest of all
seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it
grows up and becomes the greatest of all
shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so
that the birds of the air can make nests in
its shade.”
—Mark 4:30-32
In his book, “What’s So Amazing About
Grace”, Philip Yancy writes:
“Jesus’ images portray the kingdom as
a kind of secret force. Sheep among
wolves, treasure hidden in a field, the
niest seed in the garden, wheat growing among weeds, a pinch of yeast
worked into bread dough, a sprinkling of salt on meat—all these hint at a
movement that works within society, changing it from the inside out. You
do not need a shovelful of salt to preserve a slab of ham; a dusng will
suffice.
Jesus did not leave an organized host of followers, for he knew that a
handful of salt would gradually work its way through the mighest empire
in the world. Against all odds, the great instuons of Rome—the
law code, libraries, the Senate, Roman legions, roads, aqueducts, public
monuments—gradually crumbled, but the lile band to whom Jesus gave
these images prevailed and connues on today.”
It’s not easy believing in the miracle of the resurrecon. But then my
mind slips to those fearful, cowardly, grieving disciples who locked themselves
in the upper room in the aermath of Jesus’ crucifixion… and I
can’t help but wonder: these are the ones Jesus chose to make the kingdom
known throughout the world? Yes. By his amazing grace and wisdom,
Jesus began a revoluon of love and hope through just a few men
and women. Not by raising up a city of devotees, but by empowering a
handful of the overlooked and the misunderstood, through people like
you and me who dared dream of a brighter tomorrow.
There is no shortage of pain, suffering and despair in our world today but
just think—through YOU and your gis of me, talent AND treasure, Jesus’
all important call to make the kingdom known throughout the world
connues today.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to Word of Peace. He is
Risen indeed.
In Christ,
Pastor Keith Long
Pastor of Life and Growth
CROSS CORNER
You know when someone loves the
work they do by how much they
enjoy sharing it with you. Spend
me with Stephanie, the Director
of Operaons at CROSS and you
definitely understand how much
she loves what she does.
Stephanie has a big job. She is responsible
for coordinang the
efforts of more than 1,800 volunteers,
organizing the Meals on
Wheels Program, coordinang the
Kids Pack Program that provides
food for school children on nonschool
days, leading the Food Rescue
Program to collect unused/
unsold food from corporate food
suppliers, and endlessly explores
ways to partner within the community
to assist those in need.
If you would like to help Stephanie,
consider volunteering your me or
donang food, clothing, or money
to CROSS. Find out more at
crossservices.org.
CROSS Needs for April: Boxed
potatoes, toothpaste, paper &
plasc grocery bags. Donaons
may be dropped off at the “CROSS
Corner” in the North Gathering
Area.
THANK YOU!
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY
Two Long-Time Staffers Say Farewell
It is with great sadness that we say farewell to two beloved staff members in
the Children, Youth and Family ministry. After seven years in ministry at Word
of Peace, Marcus Eads has resigned from his position as Director of Youth Ministry,
and Lisa Buck has resigned from her position as CYF Administrator after
faithfully serving for thirteen years.
Marcus’ next adventure is to be a stay-at-home dad to his two young children,
Josephine and Juniper. On Sunday and Monday, March 26 & 27, we will say
thank you and farewell to him during worship. In addition, there will be an open
house for Marcus on Wednesday, March 29 in the Youth Room after the Lenten
services. Marcus’ last day will be March 30.
Lisa Buck
Children, Youth & Family
Administrator
Marcus Eads
Director of
Youth Ministry
Lisa is currently pursuing other employment opportunities and her last day will be no later than April 30. The congregation
will have the opportunity to formally thank and wish Lisa farewell on a date to be determined.
We are grateful to Marcus and Lisa for their combined 20 years of dedicated service and ministry to the children,
youth, and families of Word of Peace!
HERE’S WHAT’S
HAPPENING THIS MONTH:
Vacaon Bible School
Registraon is Open
Registraon forms are available outside
the Children’s Ministry office, or
you can register online at
wordofpeace.org/vbs.
Church School/Confirmaon
Registraon Begins April 23
Ash Wednesday Pancake Brunch
Eatin’ Pancakes and Learnin’ About Lent
Look for more informaon coming
soon.
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EASTER EGG HUNT!
for Families with Infants through 4th Grade
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
from 2-4 PM
Egg Hunt ~ Games ~ Face Painting
Volunteers are
needed for this event!
Please contact Rachel Smith at
(763) 496-2423 or
rsmith@wordofpeace.org
SENIORS
Rogers Senior Center—12913 Main Street. Open 9 AM-4:30
PM Monday-Thursday and 9 AM-3 PM Friday. Coordinator, Liz:
(763) 428-0939/edirks@rogersmn.gov.
Senior Shop Rogers Bus—Thursdays at 10 AM, $1.00 per rider.
Assistance provided with groceries. Contact Judy: (763) 428-
7657.
Jammers Potluck & Music—Sunday, April 2, 1-5 PM (eat at 4
PM) at the Rogers Community Room (21201 Memorial Drive).
Bring a dish for potluck and enjoy free entertainment from
local musicians. Contact Dave: (763) 428-4217.
Word of Peace Kids-Care Bus takes seniors shopping at
Ridgedale on Tuesday, April 11. $1.00 round trip. Call Judy to
sign up, (763) 428-7657.
Spring Flea Market/Cra & Bake Sale—April 8 from 9 AM-3
PM at the Rogers Community Room. Door prize drawings,
lunch from 10:30-2:00, bake sale and various items for you to
shop from.
Monthly Book Club—10:00 AM Wednesday, April 26. New
members welcome! Meeng date is the 4th Wednesday each
month, a different book discussed each me. April book is Ordinary
Grace by William Kent Krueger. Call Liz: (763) 428-0939.
Games at the Senior Center—Cribbage: Wednesdays at 1 PM.
Mah Jongg: Fridays at 9:30 AM. Texas Canasta: Tuesdays,
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 1 PM. Call Liz: (763)
428-0939.
Great Decisions: A Global Discussion Group—Beginning April
19 at 9:30 AM at the Rogers Senior Center. 2017 topics include
European Union, Trade Policy, South China Sea, Saudia Arabia,
Geopolics of Energy, Lan America, Afghanistan/Pakistan,
and Nuclear Security. To parcipate, pick up a Great Decisions
book from Liz at the Senior Center for $25.00. Group meets
the 3rd Wednesday of each month with filmed documentaries
or speakers. 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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Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
ROGERS, MN
PERMIT NO. 9
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
Blessing of
the Animals
Saturday, April 23, 1:00 PM
Bring your animals
to Word of Peace
for a blessing!