Peace Notes January 2018 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

JANUARY 2018
Peace Notes
2017 Women’s Christmas Luncheon

THIS MONTH IN WORSHIP
Grab Bag Sermons
January 7 - February 5
“Life is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get.”
—Forrest Gump
“You get what you get and don’t throw a fit.”
—Any Parent
In the Epiphany season of light, we are going to “lighten up” and have some
fun. In this series, you won’t know what will happen from week to week. Will
it be a me of “holy humor” or an improv? Will you get to see the pastors
perform a skit, or sing a camp song? Maybe you will get to ask the pastors
any queson you have? Even the kids will get in on the acon with Grab Bag
children’s messages. Come and find out in January!
People’s Choice Sermon Challenge
Read the Bible enough and a person is bound to cross paths with an ancient
text that doesn’t make sense or a story that makes them giggle or a verse so
buried in weirdness that it’s just easier to skip over it. Passages like these only
see the light of day in youth group but this January, Word of Peace is invited
to choose from several Biblical odds and ends as part of the Grab-Bag
Worship Series. Check Facebook and wordofpeace.org for more details.
Vong begins December 31 and ends January 7.
The She-Bears (2 Kings 2:19-25)
Jeremiah’s Dirty Underwear (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
Jesus the Grouch (Mahew 21:12-22)
A Talking Donkey (Numbers 22:22-33)
The Cruel Wager (Job 1:1-12)
Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9))
Seals and Trumpets (Revelaon 8:1-13)
2
Pastor Rick Skare
Senior Pastor
Pastor Keith Long
Pastor of Life & Growth
Pastor Krisn Skare
Pastor of Spiritual Care
Pastor Tyler Strom
Pastor of Faith in Acon
21705 129th Ave. N.
Rogers, MN 55374
(763) 496-2400
(press 3 to leave an emergency message for a 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
February newsleer deadline:
January 12, 2018
wordofpeace.org

Dear friends,
Welcome to the new year! What important events do you
already have scheduled this year? What are you most looking
forward to? What surprises lie just around the corner?
As far as the church is concerned, one of the most important
celebraons that happens at the beginning of the new year
is Epiphany. On this day we celebrate the revelaon of
Christ to all people. We are reminded of the story of the
magi’s adoraon of the baby Jesus, sll swaddled warmly in
his mother’s arms.
An epiphany is a manifestaon or a sudden realizaon. It is
an illuminang experience that causes us to see something in a new light. However,
my favorite definion of epiphany is “A-ha!” Isn’t that a wonderful descrip-
on? It is those moments in life when the light bulb finally goes off and instantly
we have it all figured out.
Can you imagine the A-ha moment the three magi had when they finally reached
the end of their internaonal expedion? They expected to find a powerful king
only to find a homeless child. What?! The light they had been following in the
night sky had led them to a lowly manger in Bethlehem. They had been following
a light in the night sky, but now they would follow the true “Light of the world.”
A-ha! That realizaon changed their lives dramacally.
We connue to be surprised by this glorious A-ha moment. Jesus, the light that
shines in the darkness, is for YOU. Christ connues to enter into our lives in unexpected
ways, shedding light on our lives and illuminang our world. In this season
of Epiphany, may you come to the wonderful realizaon that Christ is with
you and go forth to witness to that light that shines brightly in our midst.
In Christ,
Pastor Tyler Strom
Pastor of Faith in Action
Worship & Music
Your talent is
God’s gi to you.
What you do with it
is your gi to God.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all
who parcipated in our Christmas
worship celebraons. From the choirs,
cantors and instrumentalists to the
greeters at the front door, you have
helped make Christmas 2017 a memorable
and meaningful experience for a
lot of people. From the youngest singers
to the oldest readers, you made a
difference.
TEEN CHOIR RE-BOOT—Teen choir will
meet on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM beginning
January 16. Come and make yourself
part of this great experience. We
Need You!
Happy New Year! May God richly bless
you in 2018.
Michael Sahlen
Minister of Worship & Music
VISION & MISSION 2018
Sunday, January 28 at 12 PM
Thanking God for the Ministry We’ve Done
Looking Forward to the Future with Excitement!
Come and celebrate Word of Peace’s vision and mission at all worship
services on January 28 & 29. There will be a special Vision & Mission
Forum on January 28 following the 11 AM worship hour, which will
include a celebraon of Word of Peace’s ministry, the elecon of
church leadership, and the approval of the 2018 vision and ministry
resources.
Year-End Financial Update
and Budget Discussion
Sunday, January 21 at 9:45 & 11 AM
You are invited to come and review our
2017 finances and learn more about the
proposed budget for 2018.
Get all your quesons answered prior to
the Vision & Mission Forum so you are
prepared in advance when it comes to
vong on the budget.
If you have quesons in the meanme,
please feel free to contact Linda Thomas,
Director of Administraon, at (763) 496-
2407 or lthomas@wordofpeace.org.
3

Thank You for GIVING BIG
Over the Holidays!
Thank you for your overwhelming support of the many wonderful
opportunies to give this Christmas at Word of Peace. In
giving to programs such as Operaon Christmas Child, Adopt-A-
Family, CROSS, God’s Global Barnyard, the Fair Trade Fair, and
local Christmas relief, you were able to share in the hope,
peace, joy, and love of the season with others.
May God bless you greatly in 2018!
Thank-You Notes:
Dear Members of Word of Peace,
Thank you for your gi of $4,567 to Lutheran Disaster Response.
With this gi you are providing emoonal and spiritual care, supplying
emergency relief, and addressing long-term recovery.
With your gis you are making possible the support of unmet needs,
the coordinang of volunteers in the United States through our local
affiliates, and the promong of disaster risk-reducon internaonally,
expanding knowledge and ability.
Thank you for this gi and all your faithful generous gis. Thank you
for encouraging others to learn, act, pray, and give with you. Thank
you for living into God’s words of jusce and mercy and for joining
with the whole church to love and serve one another.
In God’s Grace,
The Rev. Daniel Ri
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal
Ministry Teams
“Now there are variees of gis, but the
same Spirit; and there are variees of services,
but the same Lord; and there are
variees of acvies, but it is the same
God who acvates all of them in everyone.
To each is given a full poron of the
Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians
12:4-7
Help others to encounter Christ through
offering your me, talent and passion for
service to and through your church home.
With a wide array of ministry teams to
choose from, you are welcome and encouraged
to plug yourselves in with others
as we carry out our vision “to know
Christ’s love and share Christ’s love with
all people.”
Ministry Teams Include:
Care (membership and hospitality)
Children, Youth & Family
Endowment Fund
Global Ministry
Life and Growth (fun & fellowship
events)
Property
Social Ministry
Stewardship
Worship and Visual Arts
Visit wordofpeace.org/adults/leadershipopportunies
for more informaon about
Word of Peace ministry teams.
Dear Word of Peace,
On behalf of the Carrie On 5K Race Commiee and the Lorman Family,
this note is to sincerely thank you for your financial support of our
8th Annual Memorial Race and Kiddie Run. We are truly grateful to
you. We certainly had a wonderful event in Carrie’s memory. Thank
you again for partnering with us in our endeavors.
Sue Stensrud,
Race Director, Carrie On 5K
4
JOIN A MINISTRY TEAM!
Share your gis and talents while you get
to know others and take part in the leadership
of the ministry of Word of Peace.
For more informaon or to volunteer,
please contact the church office at (763)
496-2400.

SPECIAL SUPPLIMENT
ADULT MINISTRY
Winter/Spring 2018
Sunday Morning Adult Studies
Sundays at 9:45 AM in Room 120
Grab Bag Bible Study: Exploring the Weirdness of Scripture
January 7, 14 & 28
Talking animals, holy tantrums, streaking prophets, wild dreams and much more! If the Bible has ever made you
scratch your head, giggle or skip ahead then this study is for you! All are welcome to explore the bizarre world of scripture!
NEW
Online Component!
Can’t make it Sunday morning? Read a reflecon of the Sunday morning Bible study material online
(Adult Learning Blog)
LENT
Wilderness Survival Training
Exploring Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
February 18-March 18 (5 Weeks)
At the core of Jewish identy is the great narrave of liberaon, a process of social transformaon brought about by
the revoluonary intervenons of God. And then? Wilderness. And lots of it! For forty years post-liberaon, the Hebrews
wandered in the desert, grumbling and whining and wondering over and over: Are we there yet? Surviving is one
thing, thriving in the wild is another. Let’s dig deep beneath the arid soil of the Israelites’ ancient trials in the wilderness
and see what we can learn for today.
AFTER EASTER
And Who is My Neighbor? An Introductory Exploration of Racial Equality
Dates and Times to be Announced
A conversaon on race is not easy – it never has been. The subject brings up our deepest held beliefs about who we are
and who we should be. It brings up anger, pain, fear, guilt, shame, and even hopelessness. And it is way past me we all
pressed into it.
This study was authored by Dr. Eric Barreto, professor at Luther Seminary when he started the work, now on the faculty
of Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey.
“This is not the definive study of race or racial equity. It is not even the first chapter. It is more like a “trailer” that we
hope will cause more of our neighbors to want to read, listen, and understand more.”
—Jodi Harpstead, CEO , Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
5

SPECIAL SUPPLIMENT
ADULT MINISTRY
Winter/Spring 2018
SUNDAYS
January 21 - March 18
2:00 - 4:00 PM
We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University is that plan! It teaches God's ways of handling money. Through
video teaching, class discussions and interacve small group acvies, Financial Peace University presents biblical and praccal
steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt,
manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more. The average family pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in
the first 90 days!
Lesson 1: Super Saving
Common Sense for your Dollars & Cents
Lesson 2: Relang With Money
Nerds and Free Spirits Unite!
Lesson 3: Cash Flow Planning
The Nuts and Bolts of Budgeng
Lesson 4: Dumping Debt
Breaking the Chains of Debt
Lesson 5: Buyer Beware
The Power of Markeng on your Buying Decisions
Lesson 6: The Role of Insurance
Protecng your Health, Family, and Finances
Lesson 7: Rerement and College Planning
Mastering the Alphabet Soup of Invesng
Lesson 8: Real Estate and Mortgages
Keeping the American Dream from Becoming a Nightmare
Lesson 9: The Great Misunderstanding
Unleashing the Power of Generous Giving
Word of Peace members Thom & Angie Grubbs will
facilitate the Financial Peace University course. They
have taken the course and they are living it! If you
have any quesons, contact Angie at (612) 242-5319
or angie.grubbs@yahoo.com or Thom at (612) 859-
7900 or tg@pentagoninsuranceagency.com.
Register Now!
The course fee is $90 per household. You will receive
a copy of Dave Ramsey’s book and numerous resources
in addion to the course manual and DVDs.
(We will not turn anyone away due to an inability to
pay. Please contact Pastor Keith for more informaon.)
Child care is available upon request.
Please register online at wordofpeace.org/fpu or pick
up a registraon form at the Informaon
Desk. Payment is due at the me of registraon.
6

SPECIAL SUPPLIMENT
ADULT MINISTRY
Winter/Spring 2018
Divorce Care Support Group
Thursdays from 6:00-8:00 PM
Beginning January 4
Most people will tell you that separaon and divorce are the most painful
and stressful experiences they’ve ever faced. It’s a confusing me
when you feel isolated and have lots of quesons about issues you’ve
never faced before.
DivorceCare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges
and move toward rebuilding your life. Each session has two disnct
elements:
A Seminar with Experts
During the first 30–40 minutes of the meeng, each DivorceCare
group watches a video seminar featuring top experts on divorce and
recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesng-towatch
television magazine format featuring expert interviews, reallife
case studies and on-locaon video.
A Support Group with Focus
Aer viewing the video, DivorceCare group parcipants spend me as a
support group, discussing what was presented in that week’s video seminar
and what is going on in the lives of group members.
This group will be facilitated by Word of Peace members, Mario Olson
and Jennifer Harlan. Pre-registraon is not necessary and all are welcome.
Quesons? Contact Mario at mario.olson@yahoo.com or Jennifer
at jharlan716@gmail.com.
Subscribe to the Adult Ministry
Email List!
NEW
wordofpeace.org/subscribe
Sunday Night Men’s Group
New Study from the
Master Builders Bible for Men
2nd & 4th Sundays of Each Month | 7:00 PM
Begins January 14
Which areas of life do you need to work on to
become a whole person? Your physical life? Relaonal
life? Spiritual life? Does anyone else
struggle with focusing on all these at the same
me?
For more informaon and/or to order a Master
Builders Bible for Men, contact Pastor Rick Skare
at rskare@wordofpeace.org.
Christ in Cinema
Dates and Times Vary
Join Pastor Keith and friends for Christ in Cinema!
The group meets at the St. Michael Movie
Theater for a movie, then gathers to talk about
it upstairs in the bar. Check the weekly bullen
for movies and dates. For more informaon,
contact Pastor Keith at (763) 496-2400 or
klong@wordofpeace.org.
7

SPECIAL SUPPLIMENT
ADULT MINISTRY
Winter/Spring 2018
Encounter Stillness:
Adult Hermitage Retreat
Spring Dates Coming Soon!
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 imaginaon await the open heart. It is here that you will detach from the busyness of the world
for a while and become one with 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, or what author Henri Nouwen called “the furnace
of transformaon.” Learn more about Pacem in Terris at paceminterris.org.
Topics on Tap
The Fourth Thursday of Each Month
7:00-9:00 PM at various locations
“Topics on Tap” is a monthly discussion group for adults, designed to be an informal
discussion that leads to deeper thinking. Along with other curious and open-minded
learners, we’ll gather for a “cold one” and some good old-fashioned table talk.
We’ll tackle the challenging and the lighter-fare subjects; The possibilies are truly as
diverse as whatever is on tap.
Facilitated by Pastor Keith and Word of Peace member, Greg Heinecke. For recommended
reading, contact Pastor Keith at (763) 496-2400 or klong@wordofpeace.org.
8

2018
Lead, Follow, Just Get Out of My Way!
A Leadership Workshop for 9 th -12 th Grade Girls
Wednesdays | 7:30-9:00 PM in the Youth Room
January 17, 24, 31, and February 7
All High school girls with or without leadership experience
are invited! Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, Pam
Johnston will take you on a four week journey where you
will learn what a leader is and isn't, examine important leadership
characteriscs, help you discover if you are a follower,
a leader, or both; and give you tools to develop your own
leadership skills.
Pam Johnston is a Word of Peace Member, leadership expert,
confirmaon guide, and youth sports coach. She has
spent her life leading, coaching, and teaching.
Project Wrap-up: April 2018 (oponal)
Space is Limited, Register Early!
Contact Pastor Krisn Skare at kskare@wordofpeace.org or
(763) 496-2404.
CROSS CORNER
Looking for an opportunity to
serve? KidPack is a Weekend
Food for Kids program organized
by CROSS and supported by area
churches and organizaons. This
program was established to help
food insecure families with a twice monthly KidPack snack
bag that goes home with children on a Friday to provide
some healthier snack opons for the weekend. Word of
Peace is a sponsor for Dayton Elementary School and we fill
approximately 100 snack bags a month that include 7-8 provided
food items that are easy to open, easy to heat, enjoyable
and healthy. We are always looking for volunteers. It
takes an hour for 10 volunteers to fill 100 bags. Watch for
more informaon in the church bullen.
Everyone can be a part of
Mission Jamaica!
Word of Peace is preparing to send another missionary
team to serve the people of Jamaica February 17-24. They
will operate several medical clinics and construct a home
for a local family. You can support this mission with prayers,
financial gis, or any of the following items:
Large suitcases with
wheels
20 volt Dewalt impact drills
Hammers
Hand saws
Wood chisels
Tape measures
Squares
Levels (2 . and 4 .)
Construcon aprons
Construcon pencils
Safety glasses
Work gloves
7 1/4” circular saw blades
Ulity knives
Paint brushes, rollers and
trays
Small plasc containers
(cool whip sized)
Storage containers with
lids that would fit in a regular
sized suitcase
Tapcon (brand) fasteners
Drill bits 5/32” & 3/16” (for
cement)
Wood spade bits
Metal bits (assorted sizes)
Cement bits
Non-latex gloves (all sizes)
Snack-sized Ziploc bags
ACE wraps
Dandruff shampoo
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Travel sized shampoo, condioner,
loon and soap
Hand sanizer (large
boles)
Monetary donaons for
wholesale supplies
Donaons may be dropped off at the Informaon Desk
from January 21 through February 4. Please limit donaons
to the items on the list. If you prefer, financial gis may be
given online at wordofpeace.org/give or by texng ‘woplc’
to 77977 to give via mobile. Please designate “Mission Jamaica”
when you give. Giving envelopes and a credit card
reader are available at the Informaon Desk for your convenience.
Thank you for your help in serving the people of Jamaica!
9

There are many ways to
give. Choose an option
that works best for you:
Pastor Keith Long
Pastor of Life and Growth
Did you know that when you give an offering to your congrega-
on, a percentage of that financial gi is shared with your synod
and churchwide organizaon? In the ELCA, we call these funds
Mission Support.
Mission Support enables the ELCA’s 9,300 congregaons and 65
synods to pool resources to love and serve our neighbors in ways
that no individual, congregaon or synod can do alone. Through
our offerings, which are shared with the wider church, we parcipate
in God’s life-changing work in our communies and around
the world.
In 2016, ELCA members gave $1.75 billion in unrestricted offerings
to support the three expressions of the ELCA: Congregaons
(94.4%), Synods (3%) and the Churchwide Organizaon (2.6%).
Thank you for your generosity!
It can be easy to forget that we are part of something much bigger
and beyond ourselves as a congregaon. Giving to support
our monthly and annual expenses is a big task, but when we understand
that all of our generosity is helping to literally feed and
nourish thousands of others both naonally and globally, it helps
to put things in perspecve.
Thank you for all the ways you remember the poor and brokenhearted,
knowing that what you give in the offering plate or electronically
is put to great use. You are the hands and feet of The
Good News of Jesus Christ, and your thoughul gis given out of
gratude and joy are helping make this world a beer place.
On behalf of the Stewardship team, pastors and staff, thank you
and Happy New Year!
In Christ’s Peace,
10
Text “Give”
to 77977
Online
wordofpeace.org/give
Card Reader
at the
Information Desk
Envelope
by mail or in the
offering plate
THANK YOU
for Giving to the Ministry
of Word of Peace!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY
It’s that me of year again when we start looking forward to
campfires, gaga ball, and swimming in the lake. 2018 is shaping
up to be the most excing summer yet!
Summer is a busy me for everybody and it seems like there
are always five different things happening at the same me.
Summer is also the most beauful, joyful me of year in CYF
ministry, because we have so many opportunies to spend
me in God’s creaon, grow in faith, and play together. As our
children and youth grow up, they oen say that their experiences
in summer ministries were some of their best memories
at church, and we’re excited to connue to grow those ministries!
Sheldon Way
Director of Youth Ministry
UPCOMING
YOUTH FUNDRAISERS:
February 4
Super Bowl Subs
February 10
Parents Night Out
March 4
Plant Sale Begins
On Camp Sunday, January 21, join us in celebrang our summer ministries, learn more
about opportunies for this summer, and pick up a registraon form! There’s something
for everybody in the summer – Vacaon Bible School for the younger ones, Summer
Stretch for the older ones, Gaga Ball, summer camp, and more! We’ll be celebrang
camp and summer ministries both in worship and outside of worship on the
21st, so wear your favorite Word of Peace t-shirt, camp shirt, VBS shirt, Summer
Stretch shirt, or volunteer shirt! We’ll need some bright colors in January!
April 1
Easter Breakfast
Registraon for all of the summer programs opens on Camp Sunday, and the CYF staff
will all be around to answer your quesons. We’re looking forward to another exhilarang
summer full of faith formaon, friendship, and some great camp food!
SENIORS
Rogers Senior Center—12913 Main Street. Open 9 AM-4:30 PM
Monday-Thursday and 9 AM-3 PM Friday. Volunteer Desk: (763)
428-0600 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, January 7, 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. There will be a collector car show in the parking
lot. Bring yours if you have one! Contact Dave: (612) 859-5847.
Word of Peace Kids-Care Bus takes seniors shopping at
Ridgedale on Tuesday, February 13. $1.00 round trip. Call
Judy to sign up, (763) 428-7657.
Community Bingo: Monday, Jan. 8 from 1-3 PM at the Senior
Center. A variety of bingo games will be played with cash prizes
awarded to the winners. 6-card limit per game at $.25 per card
each game. Usually 10 or more games are played with a break
for refreshments in the middle of the 2-hour session and a coverall
to end the aernoon. This is a fundraiser for the Rogers Seniors
and is open to the public so bring your friends for a fun
aernoon!
Coffee Club: Every Monday & Tuesday from 9-10:30 AM. Come
to the Senior Center to enjoy complimentary coffee and conversaon
to start the day off right!
Chili/Soup Supper: Thursday, Jan. 11 from 4:30-7 PM at the Rogers
Community Room. This is a fundraiser for the Rogers Seniors.
Watercolor Painng Class: Thursday, Jan. 18 at 10:00 AM. Join
us for a winter themed painng class! All supplies will be provided
and Jean McFarlane will be instrucng the class at Rogers
Senior Center for only $5.00. Call Liz at 763-428-0939 to sign up
by Jan. 12th.
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.
11

Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
ROGERS, MN
PERMIT NO. 9
CHANGE SERVICE
REQUESTED
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sundays at
8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 AM
Mondays at 6:30 PM
SPECIAL
ADULT MINISTRY
SUPPLIMENT INSIDE!