Peace Notes Winter 2019/20 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

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The Dirt on Christmas This Christmas is a bit different for me. My daughter, Anna, is in Bethlehem this year away from our family. She is serving there for one year at a Palestinian Lutheran school and church through Young Adults in Global Mission. I want to romanticize what it must be like for her to be in Bethlehem for Christmas, after all, this is the birthplace of Jesus. But then she shares with her mother and me about the hardships that the Palestinian people endure there, and conflicts between the Israeli and Arab people. I am reminded of a pastor friend of mine who once told me of a visit that he made to the Holy Land of Israel. He said it really wasn’t all that holy. There were customs, guards, congestion, crowds and vendors everywhere they went. He especially remembers going to the church in Nazareth, which is said to be built over the site where Mary and Joseph’s house once stood. Once inside the church, he told me that he almost passed out from all of the dust, and the heat, and the throngs of pushy tourists. And then as he was trudging up some stairs, pushing his way through tourist after tourist, his eyes fell upon a quote chiseled in the wall. It was in Latin, but they were words so familiar that anyone could read it: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And then it hit him—there is no holy land, not even some sort of little town of Bethlehem that lies still. There is only Nazareth— dust, congestion, hardship—just the way it was when Jesus came to it. He realized then that Nazareth could be anywhere. Life today can be just like the day Jesus was born--full of dust, congestion, and hardship. This is the life that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus Christ dwells among the dust, congestion, and hardship of every day life. Jesus Christ dwells in Nazareth, in Bethlehem, and in your life and mine. Thanks be to God! Rick Skare Lead Pastor 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 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 wordofpeace.org 2
Festival of Carols Worship Sunday, December 15 | 8:30, 9:45 & 11 AM (See Page 7) Promises of Hope Christmas Worship for Those Experiencing Loss Tuesday, December 17 | 6:30 PM (See Page 5) Travelers Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Monday, December 23 | 6:30 PM* Christmas Eve Worship Tuesday, December 24 Family Candlelight Worship 10 AM* & 12 Noon* Candlelight Worship 2:00*, 3:30, 4:45, 6:00* & 11:00 PM* *Holy Communion is served NOTE: There will be no Christmas Day worship.
Page 4 and 5: Sermon Series Begins January 19 Thi
Page 6 and 7: Engaging the Whole Person through A
Page 8 and 9: Word of Peace Gala 2019: Winter Won
Page 10 and 11: The Christmas Care program is back
Page 12 and 13: From the Financial Office End of th
Page 14: CYF Summer Kick Off! January 19, 20

Peace Notes Winter 2019/20 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

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