Peace Notes Spring 2021 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

Dear Friends,
As I write this, it's 15 degrees below zero with
a wind chill, Covid is exhausting, and Lent begins
next week. I am not excited.
Lent is traditionally a 40-day period in the
church year that we reflect on our human imperfection
to set our hearts and minds on God.
This year, I'm tired, and I don't need more time
to reflect on my humanity. This year I'm asking
Job's question, "How long, O Lord? How
long?"
Kristin Skare
I know I am not alone. Through phone calls,
Pastor of Spiritual Care
e-mails and social media, I hear your lament. I
hear the pain of parents who feel unsuccessful,
the exhaustion of teachers and students, and the fear of people who
do not have the luxury to work safely from home. I hear the grief of
people who buried people they love, of couples who struggle with infertility,
of the dear ones who have been diagnosed with cancer. I hear
the struggle of people who are living with depression or isolation. I listen
to the lament of people of color who have never lived in the same
world that I do.
Lent? We've been living it. So no, dear friends, I'm not excited about
remembering, again and again, our brokenness and suffering find us.
But then I look outside my window and see the Norway pine tree I
planted two years ago. I have no idea how it survives the winter, and
yet I know the promise is there, that this spring bright green needles
will sprout out the top of it.
Lent reminds us that we need rituals, we need prayer, and we need
worship to see that we have a God, who, again and again, interrupts the
suffering of the world to show us a way forward. So, bring your lament,
your dreams, your hopes, and your prayers to God. God meets you in
these places and, again and again, reminds us that God is making all
things new.
“Know that the L is God. It is God that made us, and we are God’s; we
are God’s people, and the sheep of his pasture.” —Psalm 100:3
God’s Peace be with you,
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 9 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
Look for the most up-to-date Word of Peace COVID-19 news at
wordofpeace.org/coronavirus
wordofpeace.org
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The Season of Lent
In Lent, we’re reminded that, again and again, suffering
and brokenness find us. We doubt again, we lament
again, we mess up again. Again and again, the story of Jesus
on the cross repeats—every time lives are taken unjustly,
every time the powerful choose corruption and violence,
every time individuals forget how to love. With exacerbation
we exclaim, “Again?! How long, O God?” And
yet, in the midst of the motion blur chaos of our lives, God
offers a sacred refrain: “I choose you, I love you, I will lead
you to repair.” Again and again, God breaks the cycle and
offers us a new way forward.
This theme provides a clear invitation in a time when much is unclear. Even if worshiping apart, we come to
God again and again with our prayers, our dreams, our hopes, and our doubts. Even if from a distance, we
will continue to be community to one another—especially when it’s hard—by choosing each other over and
over again. We will continue to love God with the same persistence God chooses and claims us. Our subtheme,
A Lenten Refrain, speaks to the ways God can make music of our lives. “Refrain” also reminds us that
Lent is a season of abstaining from certain practices in order to take on new rhythms and habits.
Wednesday Evening Lenten Worship
Wednesdays, February 24-March 24
6:30 PM In Person and Online
Join us in person or online for Lenten worship with the Holden Evening Prayer Service. Our theme this year
is “Characteristics of God” - Biblical authors often referenced and quoted their favorite parts of Scripture, and
the list of God’s character traits found in Exodus 34:6-7 is the most repeated and re-quoted text in the Bible.
In this video series we’ll explore God’s attributes: Compassion, Grace, Slow to Anger, Loyal Love, Faithful.
In order to accommodate state-mandated safety guidelines and ensure as safe an experience as possible
for everyone, each service is limited to 75 people and advance reservations are required. Reservations can
be made online at wordofpeace.org/lent or by calling the church office at (763) 496-2400. Reservations for
each service may be made up to a week in advance.
Again & Again Lenten Devotionals
Word of Peace is offering two devotionals this Lent from A Sanctified Art, which is a collective of artists in
ministry who create scriptural and theological resources for worshiping communities. Our Lenten theme,
Again & Again, is a work of these artists.
· “Again & Again” Lenten devotional booklets are available to anyone who requests one. Paper
copies are available at the Welcome Center, or you may contact the church office to request a
digital copy.
· “Again & Again” devotion card packs are available at the Welcome Desk, and will be posted on
Instagram each day in Lent.
Lenten Book Study
Everything Happens For A Reason And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler
See Deacon Lydia’s article on page 6 for details.
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Palm Sunday, March 28
9:45 AM Online Worship
on Facebook, YouTube and wordofpeace.org. Available on-demand after the service has ended.
11 AM Procession of Palms
We will meet at the Rogers Community Room (fire station) parking lot
and process two blocks to the church for a brief Palm Sunday blessing.
Maundy Thursday, April 1
6:30 PM Drive-In Worship with Holy Communion
Online Worship
Available on-demand all day on Facebook, YouTube and wordofpeace.org
Good Friday, April 2
12 Noon-8 PM Journey to the Cross: Prayer stations for Good Friday*
Spend time in prayer through a variety of experiential prayer stations. You will travel from
station to station as you journey with Christ to the cross. This event is designed for all ages
and times are staggered every 10 minutes to allow for social distancing.
*Reservations are required; sign up at wordofpeace.org/easter or call the church office.
Online Worship
The Seven Last Words as told by congregation members
Available on-demand all day on Facebook, YouTube and wordofpeace.org
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Saturday, April 3
5 PM Drive-In Worship*
*Reservations are required. Sign up at wordofpeace.org/easter or call the church office.
Sunday, April 4
9 AM Online Traditional Worship
11 AM Online Contemporary Worship
7, 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 AM In-Person Worship*
*Reservations are required. Sign up at wordofpeace.org/easter or call the church office.
NOTE: All Easter services will include Holy Communion and an Easter message. Online services will feature full music,
including brass, choir, organ and band. In-person services will offer limited music with no congregational singing
or speaking in the sanctuary.
wordofpeace.org/easter

Worship
Return to In-Person Worship
On February 24, we started gathering in-person once again for our Wednesday evening
Lenten services. We will have this opportunity available through the season of Lent
(reservations can be made at wordofpeace.org/lent) as we continue to monitor the Covid-
19 infection rate.
During Holy Week, March 28-April 4, we are also offering in-person events on Palm Sunday,
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and a full schedule of in-person worship services
on Easter Saturday and Sunday.
Our plan after Easter is to offer in-person worship opportunities on Sunday mornings and
Monday evenings. We will also continue to offer our Sunday 9:45 AM online worship. Our
hope is that by next fall, we will be able to offer our full schedule of in-person worship services.
Rick Skare
Lead Pastor
We thank you for your continued patience and support. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our mission has
been to love and care for our neighbor and the community. We greatly look forward to these opportunities to
get back together in-person for worship.
In Christ,
Spring Sermon Series & Bible Study
“Acts: Catching Up with the Spirit”
April 11 – May 23
The Acts of the Apostles is a unique and crucial book that chronicles the
story of God’s grace flooding out to the world through the lives of the
apostles in the decades immediately following Christ’s ascension into
heaven.
This series explores six key themes that illustrate the ways in which reading
Acts is capable of igniting our imagination about the character of the
Christian message, the work of God’s people (the church), and the challenges
of living faithfully in a complex and changing world.
6-Week Online Bible Study of Acts
Thursdays at 10AM (and thereafter on-demand)
beginning April 8
As a companion to the Acts sermon series, we invite you to read the book, Acts: Catching up with the Spirit, written
by biblical scholar and Luther Seminary professor Matthew Skinner. Then, join us for a live study session on
Facebook each week, followed by a group discussion on Zoom. If you are unable to attend the live discussions,
materials will also be available on-demand. Please register for this study at wordofpeace.org/classes.
Questions? Contact Pr. Tyler Strom at tstrom@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-2400.
5

Adult Faith Formation During Lent
As we continue to learn, grow, and pivot during
this time of COVID, we continue to offer different
options for faith formation. I am thankful for all
who have participated in different faith formation
opportunities this year, and I am thankful for the
insights many of you have shared with me during
this time. In January, a survey was sent out to a
number of people and the results were illuminating.
Many of you expressed interest in book studies,
small groups and morning devotions. Since we
are still limited in our ability to gather together in
small groups, I am working to develop a richer
small group ministry here at Word of Peace. As
this grows, there will be more updates. In the
meantime I am excited to share two new faith formation
opportunities with you all, and I hope you
will participate in them.
Midweek Boost on Facebook Live
Wednesdays at 9 AM
This short time is designed for a check in during
the week to give us a boost for the days ahead.
We’ll spend a few minutes of time together reading
Scripture, reflecting and praying. You can join
live or watch it later in the day at facebook.com/
wordofpeace. While this will
begin in Lent, we hope to
continue to provide this
morning devotion time after
Easter.
Lenten Book Study
Mondays at 7:30 PM on Zoom
We will be reading and discussing
Kate Bowler’s Everything
Happens For A Reason And Other Lies I’ve Loved.
For more information on this book and how to register
for the study, visit wordofpeace.org/classes or
contact me at lsvenulski@wordofpeace.org or (763)
496-2421. This book study is the beginning of what
we hope will turn into a book ministry at Word of
Peace. We intend to continue to have enriching
and powerful book studies as we grow, learn and
do life together.
In Christ,
Deacon Lydia Svenulski
Director of Adult Ministry
Racial Justice Online Book Study
Sundays at 6:30 PM via Zoom
March 14, 21 & 28 and April 11, 18 & 25
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
by Austin Channing Brown
This personal reflection is an illuminating look at how white, middle-class, Evangelicalism
has participated in an era of rising racial hostility, inviting the reader to
confront apathy, recognize God's ongoing work in the world. Austin writes in
breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our
attempts at racial justice, in stories that bear witness to the complexity of America's
social fabric--from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the
middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white
organizations.
This book study will meet virtually via Zoom beginning March 14. To sign up, visit
wordofpeace.org/classes. Questions? Contact Pastor Tyler Strom at tstrom@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-2400.
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Kris Hofstedt
Kris Hoftstedt, her husband Mitch, and their adult
children, Kayla and Sam, have lived in Rogers since 1996.
Before becoming members of Word of Peace, they were
attending Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove. It
was a short walk away when Word of Peace was located
on Main Street, so making the switch seemed like a
logical choice. Kris shared that
“after a few visits, it did not take
long for us to realize that Word of
Peace would be our new church
home.”
Kris is recently retired after
working for the City of Plymouth
for 21 years. In her free time she
likes to garden, spend time at the
family cabin, read books, watch
movies, do jigsaw puzzles,
Jazzercise, golf, and volunteer at
church and at St. Therese in New
Hope. She loves winter and she
has recently discovered a joy for
snowshoeing.
Both of her kids went through Sunday school and
confirmation programs at Word of Peace, and Kris
enjoyed teaching Sunday school many years ago. She
shared that “just the other day I was looking through
some pictures some of my former Sunday school kids
(who are now in their 20s) had made for me. There are
some things that you just cannot part with!”
Prior to the COVID-19 restrictions and the church going to
virtual ministry, Kris served as a scripture reader, usher,
greater, altar set-up, and she sang in the Women’s Deo
Glorias choir. Kris stated that she “misses singing with
those wonderful women and cannot wait
to sing with them again soon. We’re always
looking for additional singers!” Since COVID
began, she participated in the virtual choir
and, while it’s been challenging to not be
singing alongside other people, it is always
amazing to see how it sounds when
everyone’s voices are put together for the
final piece.
Kris enjoys the outdoors year-round, so she
volunteers around the church to help weed
in the summer and remove snow in the
winter. She also coordinates the Word of
Peace/Memorial Blood Centers blood
drives that are held twice a year. Last year,
Kris stepped way out of her comfort zone
and went on the mission trip to Jamaica,
and she shared that it “was amazing and something I
hope to do again.”
Kris, thank you so much for your passion for the
community, the outdoors, and for living out your faith. We
are so blessed to have you as a part of our community!
7
PUT YOUR FAITH
INTO ACTION!
For opportunities to serve, visit
wordofpeace.org/faith-in-action
Each of us has a story of how we put our faith
into action. If you have a story that you would
like to share, please contact Deacon Lydia
Svenulski at lsvenulski@wordofpeace.org.
If you are looking for ways to serve, or are
discerning how God is calling you to put your
faith into action, please contact Deacon Lydia
or any of the pastoral staff.
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Faith in Action
March is Minnesota FoodShare Month
We are going all-in for this year’s MN FoodShare donation drive! Each week, teams will compete to bring in the
most donations for our local food shelf, CROSS Services. One point will be awarded for each item collected or
dollar donated. Everyone at Word of Peace is challenged to help their team collect the most food or funds. Help
your team claim bragging rights by bringing in the following items all month long. The spirited competition begins
March 1!
THE TEAMS:
BABY-Faced Kids
Birth-5th Grade
Out of the BOX Youth
6th-12th Grade
CAN-Do Adults
Age 18-54
Bringing the HEAT Seniors
Age 55+
Baby items such as:
Baby food
Diapers
Wipes
Boxed items such as:
Pasta, rice, beans
Granola bars
Potatoes, stuffing
Canned items such as:
Fruits & veggies
Tomatoes & sauce
Soup, stew, chili
Baking items such as:
Flour, sugars
Oatmeal
Cake, cookie, brownie mixes
S-T-R-E-T-C-H Your Dollar!
Make a Financial Donation to the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign!
Questions? Contact Pastor Tyler Strom at tstrom@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-2400.
CROSS Corner
In a time of unprecedented need, this community really
stepped up! Despite canceled food drives, the community,
including Word of Peace, provided more food and money to
CROSS in 2020 than in 2019. In 2020, the Word of Peace congregation
donated 4,685 pounds of food and $22,239 in cash
donations. Great job, Church!
Did you know…
· CROSS provided more than 120 families with housing, utility
and work access assistance with their Peace of Mind
fund in 2020.
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· CROSS can purchase $10 worth
of food for about $1.
· It takes 75 volunteers to run
CROSS every day. If you are interested
in volunteering, please
contact CROSS at (763) 425-1050 or visit crossservices.org.
· Food donations may be dropped off at Word of Peace
any time during office hours (Monday-Thursday,
9 AM-4 PM). For ideas, visit wordofpeace.org/cross-needs.

Linda Thomas Retires
from Word of Peace
Linda Thomas has faithfully served Word of
Peace for fifteen years. Linda retired at the end
of February after serving in several staff positions,
most recently as Director of Administration
for 6+ years. Linda also served as the Confirmation
Coordinator and she volunteered
over the years as our Wedding Coordinator,
Worship Coordinator and so much more.
Linda has a heart for youth ministry, event ministry, and for this congregation.
She shared this heart to care for the congregation’s business
and finances and we are so grateful. She will be missed on staff
but we are delighted that we will see Linda’s face in the life of our
congregation. Thanks be to God for Linda!
Word of Peace's Event Coordinator, Jill Smith, has been hired as our
new Director of Administration. Along with her hospitality skills, Jill
brings several years of experience in administration, business, and
finance to this position. And as part of this planned transition in administration,
Heather Hamann has taken on more hours and responsibilities
with the church finances as Financial Manager.
There are many ways to
give. Choose an option
that works best for you:
Text “Give”
to 77977
Online
wordofpeace.org/give
Minneapolis Area
Synod Assembly
The rostered leaders of Word of Peace
(Pastor Rick, Pastor Kristin, Pastor Tyler
and Deacon Lydia) are attending the
Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly on
April 23 & 24. This year’s assembly is all
online and the theme is “Jubilee Reclaimed:
Opening the Way.”
Card Reader
at the Welcome Center
The Minneapolis Area Synod of the
ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America) gathers annually to conduct
business in the Synod Assembly, which
is the synod’s highest legislative authority. More than 400 participants
attend the Synod Assembly each year, including representatives
from each congregation and all active rostered leaders. The
gathering is filled with worship, inspiration, presentations and necessary
business.
If you are interested in attending the assembly as a voting member
of Word of Peace, please contact Pastor Rick at
rskare@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-2400.
Cash/Check/Envelope
Mail in or Drop Off
at the Church Office
THANK YOU
for Giving to the Ministry
of Word of Peace!
9

Children, Youth & Family
We are approaching our second Covid Lent--can you believe it? When we began this
lock-down, no one thought that we would still be here a year later. I remember people
worrying about being locked down for a WHOLE MONTH! We have certainly learned that
we are stronger than we thought, haven’t we?
Things were scary at first. But once we got past that initial shock, that initial fear of the unknown,
most of us began to live into the new reality. Here at church, we started looking
for new ways to do ministry, and for new ways to keep in contact with our families.
Kari Osmek
Director of Children, Youth
& Family Ministry
Now, I’m a person who enjoys change, so I have found most of this year to be energizing.
I’ve enjoyed the challenge of reaching beyond our church walls and of thinking of different
ways of doing things. We have come far enough that we can be proactive rather than
reactive with our summer and fall plans. How are VBS, camp, and mission trips affected by
Covid restrictions? What can we expect for fall programming? What does a blended ministry
look like? What is the best way to reach all of our families, some of whom are anxious to return to in-person
learning and others who have learned to enjoy pajama-church?
We miss you, and we care about your safety, and we want to keep sharing the joy of Christ with you. We are
working to make that happen. What will it look like? We don’t know yet, but we know that God will continue to
be present and to walk with us as we grow into these new ministry models.
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Registration is Now Open for the
2021-22 School Year
Kids of Peace Preschool is a vibrant, faith-based preschool
that serves preschoolers ages 33 months
through 5 years. Kids of Peace teachers joyfully walk
alongside preschoolers as they develop social, emotional
and academic skills that prepare them for kindergarten
and for life. We invite you and your child
to be a part of Kids of Peace Preschool!
Registration for the 2021/22 school year is now open
to the public! For more information visit kidsofpeace.org
or contact Julie Picconatto, Preschool
Director, at jpicconatto@wordofpeace.org or
(763) 496-2419.
Vacation Bible School
August 2-5 from 9-11 AM
Get ready to bring the whole crew on board for
mountains of fun at Rocky Railway VBS this summer!
Kids who are 4 years old through 5th grade will
explore Jesus’ power and how we can trust Jesus to
pull us through when life feels like a valley or a
mountaintop.
Vacation Bible School will look differently this year
due to COVID-19, but we are excited to share more
details with you very soon! Get updates and register
for VBS online at wordofpeace.org/vbs. Questions?
Contact Dawn Saxton at dsaxton@wordofpeace.org
or (763) 496-2414.

Church School: Faith@Home
Children, Youth & Family
Word of Peace children have been learning about God’s love through Church
School: Faith@Home this year. Each week our lesson corresponds with the sermon
and children’s message in online worship. Families have the opportunity to
worship and learn together from the comfort of their own homes.
It goes without saying that we would rather be teaching church school in person
on Sunday mornings and Monday nights, but we are happy to have offered this
safer alternative to families during this unusual year. Parents and families are the
most influential faith teachers in the lives of children. It is our prayer that these
materials and videos have been meaningful to Word of Peace families, and have
allowed for quality time together.
Tori and Trent are attending confirmation
from their couch
Confirmation from Home
Lydia is learning about God in
Church School: Faith@Home
Now that Lent has begun, we have had our last Confirmation Large
Group teaching time until April. This time has certainly looked different,
as we have not been able to have our students in the building.
However, our live stream has been a fascinating and new way to
connect with kids. We have learned that, amid all of the chatter and
spam and silliness, we have been able to have more real and indepth
conversations with some of our students than we may have
had in person. There is something about the anonymity of a chat
screen that seems to let kids open up to Megan, Dain, and Kari in an
unexpected benefit of ministry during the pandemic.
Morning Glory Continues
for High School Youth
We have had a consistent turnout of high school youth for Morning
Glory breakfast since fall. Due to Covid concerns, kids are gathering
drive-through style, but hopefully they will be back together in March.
Morning Glory allows high school students to begin their busy days
on a positive note. For more information about how to get connected
with Morning Glory or Late Night Check-In, contact Pastor Kristin at
kskare@wordofpeace.org or Pam Johnston at pljohns82@gmail.com.
Noelle drove up to church for some pre-class
breakfast, Morning Glory style!
Appreciation Gifts for Confirmation Guides and Junior Guides
Our confirmation guides and junior guides have been a consistent presence in the lives of our students during
this challenging time. On Saturday, On February 13, the CYF staff delivered surprise gifts to these important people
as our way of saying thank you for making a difference in the lives of our young people. The lives of 350
youth have been touched by their love of kids and love of Jesus!
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Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
ROGERS, MN
PERMIT NO. 9
CHANGE SERVICE
REQUESTED
WORSHIP ONLINE
OR IN PERSON!
See Inside for Details
Details on Page 4
See Page 6 for Details