Peace Notes April 2018-Word of Peace Lutheran Church

APRIL 2018
Peace Notes
Join Us for Easter Worship!
Saturday, March 31
5:30 PM
Sunday, April 1
6:45, 8:15, 9:30, 10:45 and Noon
Breakfast will be served Easter Sunday from 7:30-11:30 AM
wordofpeace.org/easter
Special Fall Preview Inside!

THIS MONTH IN WORSHIP
What does Jesus actually mean when he invites us to love our neighbors?
What does this look like? Who are your neighbors? Do you know
them? Do you love them?
April 8 & 9
The Message: What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said?
Jesus said all laws and truths have ultimate value only as they lead us
to more fully love God and neighbor. What if we lived like this was really
true?
Bible Readings: Luke 10:25-37; Colossians 1:1-14
April 15 & 16
The Message: The Power of Invitation and Interruption
This day’s reading invites us to go out and meet people where
they are at, being aware of the needs around us, and being open
to interruptions as well as to our own vulnerabilities.
Bible Readings: Luke 8:43-48; Psalm 130
April 22 & 23
The Message: Seeing and Being Seen
Jesus says, “Go!” It’s one thing to believe in Jesus, but what does it
mean to follow Jesus and actively “go out” in the world and love your
neighbor? It begins with first seeing your neighbor and then being
seen by your neighbor.
Bible Readings: Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 14:15-23; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
April 29 & 30
The Message: God is Always With Us
As we will hear in the Grace musical (see page 7), we celebrate that
our gracious God is always with us wherever we go and that God does
great things for us.
Bible Readings: Exodus 34:6-10
Image courtesy of Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS
Rick Skare
Lead Pastor
Kristin Skare
Pastor of Spiritual Care
Tyler Strom
Pastor of Faith in Action
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 devotion,
Share Christ through word
and deed,
Care for others and the world
God made, and
Work for justice and peace.
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Contact Jennie Priebe at
(763) 496-2401 or
jpriebe@wordofpeace.org
May newsletter deadline:
April 13, 2018
wordofpeace.org
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Palm Sunday
The Celebration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As we near the
end of our Lenten journey, we will follow Jesus through the events of his
last week on Earth during this powerful worship service.
Sunday, March 25 | 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 AM
Monday, March 26 | 6:30 PM
Maundy Thursday
Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples, he gives them instructions
and the promise of the Holy Spirit to come. In this special service, we will
experience elements of the Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples
the night before his crucifixion and death.
Thursday, March 29 | 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 gratitude over the extreme sacrifice that he made for
each one of us.
Friday, March 30
Service of Solemn Word | 12 Noon
The Seven Last Words of Christ | 6:30 PM
The Passion Experience | 8:00 PM
Prayer Vigil | 6:00 PM - Midnight
Easter
We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life!
Saturday, March 31
Traditional Worship | 5:30 PM*
Sunday, April 1
Sunrise Service | 6:45 AM*
Traditional Worship | 8:15 & 9:30 AM
Contemporary Worship | 10:45 AM & Noon*
Pancake Breakfast is served from 7:30-11:30 AM
May not be suitable for children under 10
* Holy Communion is served
Volunteer During Holy
Week and Easter
Holy Week and Easter worship
services are a great way
for the whole family to serve
at church! We are still in need
of greeters, communion servers,
ushers, scripture readers,
and more. Stop by the Volunteer
Desk in the Gathering Area
or contact Lydia Svendsen,
Director of Adult Ministry, at
lsvendsen@wordofpeace.org
or (763) 496-2421 for more
information.
Help Us Plan For You!
The most attended Easter
services are Sunday at 9:30
and 10:45 AM. Please consider
attending another service to
help make room for new visitors
and guests. You can also
RSVP for the service you plan
to attend at wordofpeace.org/
easter. Additional parking will
be available across the street
at ADO Products.
For complete
details, visit
wordofpeace.org/
holy-week
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Peace Market, Word of Peace’s popular churchwide rummage
sale, is one of our largest fundraisers of the year with proceeds
going to support the ministry of Word of Peace.
Donations & Volunteers Needed!
Donations of gently used furniture, books, clothes, toys, tools, etc.
may be dropped off on April 17 & 18 from 12-7 PM. Visit
wordofpeace.org/events for a list of items that will not be
accepted.
We’ll need all hands on deck to make Peace Market a success,
so please make plans to be a part of this fun event! Sign up at the
display in the Gathering Area.
The sale is Thursday, April 19
from 9 AM to 8 PM and Friday, April 20 from 9 AM to Noon. Please tell
your friends & family about this huge sale and share it on social media!
For more information, contact Jill Smith, Event Coordinator, at (763) 496-
2402 or jsmith@wordofpeace.org.
April is Mental Health Awareness Month
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You are invited to this year’s mental health forums on Sundays at 9:45 AM on April 8, 15
and 22.These forums help to create a greater understanding of mental health issues and
foster a faithful response. This year’s topics are:
Sunday, April 8:
“Creating Caring Faith Communities” presented by NAMI Minnesota
Sunday, April 15:
“Making it Okay” presented by Mona Trebesch and Pastor Tyler Strom
Sunday, April 22:
“Alzheimer Basics” presented by the Alzheimer’s Association

A Message from Pastor Tyler
Growing up, my family looked forward each year to April 1. Not because it meant
winter was finally coming to an end, but because we loved pulling April Fool’s Day
pranks on one another. Planning would start weeks before and you could count on
huge plastic spiders making an appearance, a rubber band placed around the kitchen
faucet sprayer, and a variety of disgusting food surprises. Yeah, it was pretty epic.
This year, Easter Sunday and April’s Fool’s Day share the day for the first time since
1956. Perhaps this is a fitting coincidence. After all, you would have to be a fool to
believe in the resurrection…right?
To believe in the resurrection means that death is not the end. To believe in the resurrection
means there is something more powerful than earthly rulers and human
systems. To believe in the resurrection means doubt is overcome by hope. To believe in
the resurrection means love always wins. And that’s crazy…right?
Tyler Strom
Pastor of Faith in Action
Paul grasped how outrageous this claim of Jesus’ death and resurrection was when he wrote: “For the message
about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of
God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
The season of Easter is about seeing the risen Christ, experiencing Christ’s presence in the breaking of bread,
and encountering Christ’s spirit poured out for you. It may seem like foolishness to the world, but when you
have experienced this power of God for yourself, you know there is no greater truth.
I invite you to experience the saving power of the resurrection here at Word of Peace. Join us for worship. Plug
into a small group. Attend a class. Serve alongside others. In whatever way you choose to encounter Christ, I
pray you experience the life changing power of God’s love in powerful ways.
Happy Easter!
Encounter Stillness:
Adult Silent Retreat
April 5-7 at Pacem in Terris in Isanti
Situated in some of the most beautiful acreage of Minnesota,
Pacem in Terris is a facility and organization dedicated
to providing guests with an opportunity to encounter
stillness in its sanctuary of silence and solitude, where
riches beyond the human imagination 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.
Be still…
and know that
I am God
Each guest is prayerfully assigned a cabin in which they
will unplug, unwind, and be changed through silence and
solitude, or what author Henri Nouwen called “the furnace
of transformation.”
If you’re interested in attending the retreat, please contact Lydia Svendsen,
Director of Adult Ministry, at (763) 496-2421 or lsvendsen@wordofpeace.org.
For more information, visit wordofpeace.org/silent-retreat.
Pacem in Terris
Silent Retreat Center
26399 MN-47,
Isanti, MN 55040
(763) 444-6408
paceminterris.org
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Fall Preview
Cover to Cover:
The Bible in a Year
Beginning in September, our congregation will be on an exciting journey together. We will be walking
through the Biblical story from Genesis to Revelation. In worship (as well as in church school and confirmation)
we will be following the Narrative Lectionary, exploring the stories of the Old and New Testaments from
the creation, to the prophets, to the life of Jesus, to the early Christian Church.
For those who want to dive deeper and get to know the Bible more, we will have personal and small group
opportunities to journey through the entire Bible (more about that on the rest of this page). Whether you
know very little about the Bible or want to increase your Biblical knowledge, this will be a great way for our
congregation to grow together in our understanding of God’s Word.
CHURCHWIDE
Bible Study
Churchwide Bible Study
Do you want to know and understand the Bible
more? Do you want to dive deeper into the Bible?
The Disciple Bible study is a 34-week
course (September thru May) covering the
entire Bible (Old and New Testaments), following
the Biblical story from creation to the
New Jerusalem.
The Disciple Bible study draws upon the work
of scholars, the personal Bible reading and
study of the participant, and dynamic group
discussion to aid understanding of the Bible.
More specific information will be coming as we
head into fall.
Adult Education Hour
Next fall, we will continue to have a variety of adult education
opportunities on Sunday mornings. We will be following
the Cover to Cover: The Bible in a Year theme, and there
will be a variety of sessions including guest presenters and
experiential learnings. Through these opportunities, we will
be able to learn more about the Bible and about our faith
ancestors.
Look for more information as we draw closer to the fall. If
you have questions, please contact Lydia Svendsen, Director
of Adult Ministry, at lsvendsen@wordofpeace.org or Tyler
Strom, Pastor of Faith in Action, at tstrom@wordofpeace.org.
Introducing Life Groups
“I came that they may have life, and
have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
This fall, Word of Peace will offer a
new way for adults to connect with
one another. These small groups,
called Life Groups, will be rooted in
fellowship, discipleship, and service.
In Life Groups, people connect
through authentic relationships, navigating
together through the different
paths and points. Life Groups also
help us to discover our spiritual gifts,
which empower us to serve our neighbors
near and far. These groups can
meet at Word of Peace, at local restaurants,
in homes or at coffee shops,
for example.
Life Groups will be led by congregation
members and will begin in late
September-early October. If you are
interested in being a Life Group leader,
please contact Lydia Svendsen,
Director of Adult Ministry, at lsvendsen@wordofpeace.org
or Tyler Strom,
Pastor of Faith in Action, at
tstrom@wordofpeace.org.
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Singer-Songwriter Rachel Kurtz
Joins the Monday Night Worship Team
Rachel Kurtz has joined the staff as worship leader for Monday nights.
Rachel is a Christian singer-songwriter, performer, and recording artist
who has led worship in both large and small venues. She is an accomplished
musician and is known by audiences all over the country.
Rachel is known for her powerhouse voice and joyful presence. Her
song, “Make a Difference,” unveiled at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering,
has become a widespread sensation sung by praise bands, youth
groups and school choirs from coast to coast. In addition to her music
leadership at conventions and congregations, Rachel is also an indemand
retreat facilitator and keynote speaker at youth weekends,
women’s retreats and at Sunday morning worship. She led the Word of
Peace women’s retreat in 2014 and held a concert here last year. Rachel
has recorded seven albums and will release her next record this
spring.
Please introduce yourself to Rachel on Monday nights and help her
feel welcome! She is very excited to worship weekly with her three
children, as most of her gigs take her out of town.
Earth Day Celebration
Sunday and Monday, April 22 & 23
Earth Day is on April 22 and Word of Peace will
celebrate with an Earth Sabbath at all services on
April 22 & 23. This year, we will join forces with the
Earth Day Network to encourage our community
to join in the movement to end plastic pollution.
"From poisoning and injuring marine life to disrupting
human hormones, from littering our beaches
and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and
landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now
threatening the survival of our planet."
(earthday.org)
Watch for ways in which you can help in this international
effort to save our planet.
GRACE MUSICAL
April 29 and 30 at All Worship Services
Grace Choir will present Are We There Yet, a musical
by Tom Long, and Allen Pote. The children will
tell the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of
Egypt towards the promised land. The story includes
the plagues, the crossing the Red Sea, the
golden idol and the Ten Commandments. This
musical has catchy melodies and some good humor.
Come and listen to the story!
New Member Class
Tuesday, April 24 | 5:30 - 9 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? If so, please join us for the
next New Member Class.
During the class you will have
an opportunity to meet the
pastors, hear what we believe
and how we do ministry,
make and enjoy a meal
together, and spend time
getting to know each other.
To register, visit
wordofpeace.org/membership
or contact Susen Kay in the
church office at
skay@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-
2400. Child care is available
upon request.
NEW MEMBER
Class
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Missionaries Return from Jamaica
The mission trip to Jamaica was another
huge success this year thanks to the tremendous
support of the Word of Peace congregation.
Many of you stepped forward with
donations, words of encouragement, and
prayers that empowered our missionaries to
do Christ’s work in Jamaica. The 10-member
team from Word of Peace joined forces with
20 others from Zion Lutheran Church in
Buffalo. The team was amazed by the important
ministry that took place in just one
week.
The mobile medical clinic visited three
locations and brought medical treatment to those who would otherwise be unable to afford this life-giving
care.
In three short days, a construction team built a home for an incredible woman who would otherwise have
been homeless.
Much needed affection and love was shared with disabled children at a rural orphanage as missionaries helped
with feeding meals, playing, and building painting projects.
To hear more about the experiences of Mission Jamaica, come to worship on April 8 when more testimonies will
be shared. If you are interested in attending the next Mission Jamaica trip, please contact Pastor Tyler Strom at
tstrom@wordofpeace.org.
Bridges Out of Poverty Seminar
Tuesday, April 17 | 8:30-3:30 PM
at Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Give the Gift of Cleanliness
Each month, Word of Peace members generously
donate food, clothing and other essentials to families
in need within our community. But one category of
items is always in short supply: Soap. CROSS is in
need of all kinds of soap: bath soap, laundry soap,
dish soap, hand soap. Soap, soap, soap!
The clean feeling that soap and other essential hygiene
tools bring can help people live healthier lives.
Please consider picking up some extra soap, shampoo,
detergent, etc. on your next trip to the grocery
store.
This month’s needs: Boxed potatoes, toothpaste, paper
& plastic grocery bags. Donations may be
dropped off at the CROSS Corner in the North Gathering
Area.
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Do you want to help move individuals from poverty
to healthy sustainable living, revitalize neighborhoods,
and build sustainable communities where
everyone can live well?
This poverty workshop includes:
Recognizing the four causes of generational
poverty
Understanding the hidden rules that create
barriers for those in poverty to successfully
emerge
Identifying critical resource gaps that need to
be addressed in order for individuals to improve
life outcomes
Who Should Attend? Volunteers, community and
education leaders, church & social services staff,
and people who care about people!
Register online at crossservices.org/2018/03/12/
bridging-poverty-seminar/
Lord of Life Lutheran Church is located at 7401
County Rd. 101 in Maple Grove. Questions? Contact
Lana@CROSSservices.org or (763) 283-7170.

Thank You for Giving to Word of Peace!
We celebrate and thank you for your giving to our Lord and our
Lord’s work through Word of Peace. Because of you, this congregation
has already accomplished so much through our ministry
this year:
We provided leadership for ten missionaries serving on the
Mission Jamaica trip, working in a mobile medical clinic, building
a home for an impoverished family, and ministering at a
special-needs orphanage.
124 confirmands affirmed their baptism in January.
$1,760 was given to local families in need through the church
benevolence fund.
Over 150 meals were packed for Kids Against Hunger in our
local schools.
50 children and their parents participated in Celebrate Communion
classes.
We expect that over 350 Bibles will be donated as a part of
“Bible Blast” for our congregation’s children and youth.
5 new staff members have been hired, including the director of
adult ministry, director of youth ministry, event coordinator,
organist, and worship leader.
The Lenten spiritual discipline classes and Listening Retreat
Heading to
the Lake this
Summer?
Consider a recurring
gift to Word of Peace
Help Word of Peace
stay “above water”
through the summer months
by giving regularly, even
when you’re up at the lake
(or wherever summer takes you).
Please continue to support the following Word of Peace ministries
this spring and summer, even if you are away from home:
19 high school youth and 6 adult leaders will attend the ELCA
Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas.
Over 125 youth are expected to participate in Summer Stretch
this year.
4,600 people are expected to attend 14 worship services during
Holy Week.
68 youth will be attending camp at Wapo and Luther Crest.
Over 700 youth and leaders are expected for Vacation Bible
School in June.
13 3rd through 6th graders are performing in the Grace Musical
this month.
1,670 April newsletters were mailed out to the entire congregation
in order to bring more awareness of upcoming events
and opportunities.
Thank you on behalf of the Stewardship Team,
Learn more at
wordofpeace.org/give
Or, contact Linda Thomas at
(763) 496-2407 or lthomas@wordofpeace.org
Rick Skare, Lead Pastor
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Welcome, Christina Verbick
Director of Youth Ministry
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY
Christina was born and raised in the Twin Cities area and received her
degree in Religion and Spanish at Concordia College in Moorhead. She
got engaged, started her career, and moved to San Jose, CA all in the
same month! Christina worked with children and youth at Prince of
Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga, CA for three years before getting
the itch to come back home to Minnesota. In 2012, she and her husband,
Ben, moved back to Minnesota and she has enjoyed working
with middle and high school youth at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in
East Bethel for the past 5½ years.
Christina and Ben have a cute, fluffy, rambunctious dog named Kirby
who will be four in July, and a wonderful, energetic son named Bentley
who will be two in July. As a family, they love all of the seasons
that Minnesota has to offer; they love going on walks/runs, playing
outside, being on the lake, and camping in the summer. In the winter,
they enjoy skating and snowboarding. Christina loves cooking and creating
new recipes, reading, and being mildly crafty in her spare time.
She is so excited to join the Word of Peace family!
Church School and Confirmation
Registration Opens April 22
Church School—We partner with parents to teach your children about God's
love through Bible stories, activities, worship, and fellowship. Church school is
open to all children ages 3 through 5th grade.
SUNDAYS at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 AM
Worship takes place at the same time as church school
MONDAYS at 5:00 and 6:30 PM
Worship takes place from 6:30-7:30 PM
Monday Night Meals are offered from 5:30-6:30 PM
New this Year:
ONLINE
REGISTRATION!
Confirmation—Students will have the opportunity to connect their faith to their
daily lives, serve God's people, study the Bible and Martin Luther's catechism,
and prepare students to reaffirm their baptismal promises in 9th grade.
WEDNESDAYS
Early Groups meet from 5:30 - 7 PM
Late Groups meet from 6:30 - 8 PM
Registration—Registration forms will be available on April 22 outside the Children’s
Ministry and Youth Ministry offices.
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*NEW THIS YEAR* Online registration is also available!
Church school registration—wordofpeace.org/church-school
Confirmation registration—wordofpeace.org/confirmation

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 or
efaust@rogersmn.gov.
There are many ways to
give. Choose an option
that works best for you:
Senior Shop Rogers Bus—Thursdays at 10 AM, $1.00 per
rider. Assistance provided with groceries. Contact Judy:
(763) 428-7657.
Word of Peace Kids-Care Bus takes seniors shopping at
Ridgedale on Tuesday, April 10. $1.00 round trip. Call
Judy to sign up, (763) 428-7657.
Text “Give”
to 77977
Jammers Potluck & Music—Since Easter lands on the first
Sunday in April, we will be having Jammers the day before
on Saturday, March 31, from 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: (612) 859-5847.
Great Decisions Global Discussion Group: 2018 topics
begin The group meets the third Wednesday of the month
beginning April 18 (through November) at 9:30 AM at the
Rogers Senior Center. Meetings begin with a 1/2 hour documentary
on the month’s topic, followed by group discussion.
Many discussions are led by local experts. Call Liz at
(763) 428-0939 to purchase/reserve your book ($35).
Senior Surf Day computer class—Thursday, April 19, 9:30-
11:30 AM at the Rogers Senior Center. The 2-hour class provides
hands-on computer training for seniors. Call Liz at
(763) 428-0939 by April 16 to sign up. Spots are limited.
Old Log Theatre: Guys & Dolls—Considered by many to be
a perfect musical comedy with memorable Broadway
tunes. Wednesday, May 2. We depart from Rogers Community
Room at 10:45 AM and enjoy lunch at the theatre’s restaurant
before the show at 1:30 PM. Trip fee is $65 and includes
bus transportation, lunch and show. Call Liz at (763)
428-0939 by April 3 to sign up.
Online
wordofpeace.org/give
Card Reader
at the
Information Desk
Please contact Judy Hanson at (763) 428-7657 for resource,
community or general information for seniors.
To subscribe to the Rogers Senior Newsletter, call (763)
428-0939. Or, read it online at rogersmn.gov/seniors-home.
wordofpeace.org
Cash/Check/Envelope
by mail or in the
offering plate
THANK YOU
for Giving to the Ministry
of Word of Peace!
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Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
ROGERS, MN
PERMIT NO. 9
CHANGE SERVICE
REQUESTED
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sundays at 8:30, 9:45,
& 11:00 AM
Mondays at 6:30 PM
Details on
Page 4