Peace Notes Summer 2021 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

A New Day is Dawning
“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.
So let us put aside the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light.”
—Romans 13:12
As a parent of young children, I am often woken up
earlier than I would prefer. Much earlier. As soon as
my feet hit the floor, I am filling breakfast bowls,
wrestling children into clothes, and taming knotted
hair. Yes, it’s as glamorous as it seems.
But on the off chance that my mind starts to stir before anyone else in the
house, I revel in the opportunity to have some moments of peace, calm,
and solitude before the day takes off. I tiptoe down the hallway, make a
cup of coffee, and sit at the window as I wait for the sun to rise. It’s a time
for me to tell God thanks for all that I’m grateful for and to lift up those I
know who are in need of prayer.
It is a holy time.
When I think of twilight, I think of the time of day between dusk and night,
but twilight is also the time of day between night and the dawn of a new
day. It’s the time when light starts to fill the dark places around us even
before we are able to see the sun rise above the horizon.
It feels like the world is experiencing twilight right now. It has been a long,
dark year as we have adjusted to living with a global pandemic. As I write
this article, restrictions that have been in place for a year are just starting to
lift. We are hoping to experience some kind of normalcy this summer.
Some of us are ready to bask in the light that is beginning to surround us
once again, and others still feel like they are sitting in the darkness.
Perhaps this is the kind of time that Paul is referencing in the above verse
from Romans. A time when it’s difficult to distinguish between night and
day. A time of betwixt and between.
Here at Word of Peace, we remember those we have lost in the past year
and we walk with those whose lives are forever changed. And in this twilight
time, we also look with joyful anticipation to all that is to come: singing
praises, outdoor worship, Vacation Bible School, church camps, community
meals, and bonfires at our new fire pit (oh…I can smell it now).
As we lean into the dawn of a new day, a new chapter in our life together, I
am convinced more than ever that God holds us. All of us. Together. We
have come a long way and we still have a long way to go, but God continues
to hold us all together. In this journey, we have been given one another
to support and encourage as fellow companions. We join together in
sharing the love of Jesus extravagantly with our neighbors. And together
we follow the Spirit as we are led into the future.
A new day is dawning. Let us walk together in love.
Tyler Strom
Pastor of Faith in Action
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
To be a community where
everyone experiences Christ’s
Love and shares Christ’s Love
with all people.
Our Mission
Christ works through us as we:
Worship God
Connect with others
Grow in faith
Serve our neighbors
Our Core Values
Love
Inclusion
Authenticity
Community
Service
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Contact Jennie Priebe at
(763) 496-2401 or
jpriebe@wordofpeace.org
wordofpeace.org
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Worship
Summer Worship Series
July 4-26: “Everyday Prophecy”
It is easy to view the prophets of the Old Testament as marginal characters in strange circumstances, distant
from our contemporary times. But there are tremendous lessons to be learned from watching the way prophets
responded to their everyday situations. The work of the prophet is not based on status or talent, but on presence
and availability to the call of God. This four-week series will investigate how that call is carried out in everyday
ways that make a profound difference.
August 1–September 5: “Spiritual Nourishment”
In calling himself the bread of life, Jesus speaks to his identification with the needs and interests of the everyday
person. This series explores the idea of how our own lives are transformed from the invitation to partake of lifegiving
realities. It lifts up the important teachings that can deepen our understanding of how life in God feeds
our souls.
Monday Evening Outdoor Worship
Last summer’s Monday night drive-in worship proved how nice it was to worship outdoors. Therefore, on Monday
nights this summer, beginning June 7, Word of Peace will host worship on the west lawn of the church (next
to the playground area). These services will be led by Rachel Kurtz and we ask that you please bring a blanket
or lawn chair. In case of inclement weather, the service will take place in the sanctuary.
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COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted:
A Message from Pastor Rick Skare
We are thankful to God for being with
us through these past fourteen months
of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for
helping and guiding us through it all.
And just as we followed the restrictions
throughout the course of the pandemic,
we now rejoice in having these restrictions
lifted.
With guidance from the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota
Department of Health, face coverings
and social distancing at Word
of Peace are now optional. If you have
been fully vaccinated and prefer not to
wear a mask for worship or other
events, you are no longer required to
wear a mask. If you have not been fully
vaccinated or simply prefer to continue
to wear a mask, you are encouraged to
continue wearing a mask.
All throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,
our congregation and staff have continued
their ministry and Word of Peace
has never been “closed.” We have remained
committed to our vision and
mission and our fundamental value of
love for our neighbor, which includes
these three priorities:
1. Care for the weakest and most
vulnerable.
2. Follow the best medical advice
available.
3. Take no unnecessary risks.
We will incorporate these priorities as
we continue to follow the guidance of
the CDC and the Minnesota Department
of Health.
What We Are Doing
• Face coverings and physical distancing
are optional for those who
are fully vaccinated.
• It is no longer necessary to make
reservations or sign-in for worship
services.
• The congregation will be invited to
sing and respond corporately in
worship.
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• In the coming weeks, we will resume
our regular practice of Communion,
and have food and beverages
available for fellowship and
events.
• We will follow the guidance of our
local school districts and the Minnesota
Department of Health when
ministering directly to children and
youth.
• We will continue to offer a live
stream broadcast of our Sunday
9:45 AM worship services (and ondemand
thereafter) on Facebook,
YouTube, and our website.
This journey through the Covid-19 pandemic
has not been easy. We lament
with those who have lost loved ones,
suffered permanent illness, lost their
jobs, and endured such challenges as
distance learning and isolation. We give
our thanks to God for all those who
have served and continue to serve during
this pandemic, including healthcare
workers, teachers and educators, first
responders and emergency personnel,
frontline workers, and the list goes on.
I am so thankful to God for our amazing
staff and church leadership, who have
worked so hard and so creatively
through all of this, and continue to do
so. And I am thankful for you—for all of
your prayers and support and encouragement.
May we continue now as we always
have—as People of Hope! May we continue
to bring to the world that which is
so desperately needed—patience with
one another, kindness and love for our
neighbor. May we live out the words of
Micah 6:8, to “Do justice, love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Grace & Peace,
Updating Our
Strategic Plan
The pastors, staff, Strategic
Planning Team and Executive
Team have all been working
to put in place a 5 to 10-year
strategic plan for the congregation
by this fall. This is an
opportune time to be updating
our strategic plan, as we
are coming out of the COVID-
19 pandemic and have a
changing landscape (for example,
how our online ministry
has become such a part of
our congregation).
We have already begun this
work by first updating our Vision,
Mission, and Core Values.
The intention of our Vision and
Mission Statements remain,
but now with more articulate
language. Our Core Values
include both existing and updated
values.
Our Vision
To be a community where
everyone experiences Christ’s
Love and shares Christ’s Love
with all people.
Our Mission
Christ works through us as we:
Worship God
Connect with others
Grow in faith
Serve our neighbors
Our Core Values
Love
Inclusion
Authenticity
Community
Service

A Farewell Message from Michael Sahlen
I am taking my leave after twenty-three years of music ministry
at Word of Peace, looking forward to a life of study, contemplation
and travel.
What a journey it has been, and what a labor of love it was. I
appreciated the variety of things I got to do: the Sunday-to-
Sunday worship services; playing with wonderful musicians;
the Festival of Carols; the beautiful intimacy of our Christmas
Eve Candlelight services; the glory of our Easter Celebrations;
the Grace Musicals; directing Voices of Peace, and Angel
Wings, our wonderful bell choir; being able to write music for
worship and special occasions.
In my tenure, I served eight pastors, beginning with Pr. John
Christianson who hired me, and I enjoyed working with a great
staff, especially my assistant, Dawn Saxton, who has made my
work much easier for many years; and I loved being able to
work with the children. But most of all, I appreciate you and
the love we’ve shared through the years, and the many kindnesses
you’ve shown me.
Word of Peace and its family will remain in my heart as long
as it beats, and I will be forever grateful for my time here.
God’s richest blessings to you all and to Word of Peace.
Michael Sahlen
Minister of Music and Worship, retired
Staff Changes
A committee has been assembled and is working to hire
a full-time Director of Worship and Music this summer.
The committee has posted the position and will be conducting
interviews in June with the hopes of hiring for
this position by July.
Likewise, the full-time Director of Youth Ministry position
has been posted and interviews will take place
soon with the hopes of hiring for this position sometime
this summer.
Information for both of these positions is available at
wordofpeace.org/jobs.
In other related staffing news, Linda Thomas has been
hired on a part-time, contract basis to coordinate the
congregation’s annual Gala in November.
Summer Classroom Remodeling
Begins in June
This summer, twelve small classrooms in the
west hallway will be converted to six larger
classrooms. These twelve classrooms have
been challenging spaces to use, since the
rooms are small, and ventilation, perceived
safety and the ability to recruit church school
and confirmation volunteers necessitate this
project. The remodel will allow Word of
Peace to have more available spaces for children,
youth and adults to meet safely and
comfortably.
All of the classrooms in the west hallway
were constructed to allow for the option of
tearing walls down to make classrooms bigger
and to accommodate building expansion.
A portion of the Building Fund is set aside
every year for building maintenance and remodeling.
This remodeling project is funded
by those monies.
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Adult Faith Formation
It’s been quite the year for faith formation, and we have all learned so much. We learned
how to hold Bible and book studies online, how to do retreat ministry via Zoom, how to
share devotions on our website and social media, and so much more.
All of this has reminded me that faith formation is not just about education, study and devotion.
It is also about fellowship. It is about spending time together, laughing and having conversation,
and growing in relationship with each other and with God. Whether in person or
online, we have been through this year together. We have laughed together and cried together,
and we have grown, changed, learned and questioned together. That is what we
will continue to nurture and support through adult faith formation at Word of Peace.
As of this writing, COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to lift and we are making plans for
summer faith formation and fellowship opportunities. Keep your eyes and ears open for what is coming! Some
possibilities include:
• A day trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum or St. John’s University in Collegeville
• A trip to a Twins game
• Some time to gather around a bonfire at the Word of Peace fire pit
We look forward to spending time together and continuing to grow in relationship, remembering that faith formation
is also about fellowship.
In Christ,
Deacon Lydia Svenulski
Director of Adult Ministry
Summer Book Club
with Pastor Kristin Skare
Pastor Kristin invites you to read An Altar in our World by Barbara Brown Taylor this
summer. We will gather for a book discussion on either Tuesday, July 20 at 6:30
PM at the Word of Peace fire pit or on Thursday, July 22 at 10 AM in the Brekke
Room.
In the New York Times bestseller An Altar in the World, acclaimed author Barbara
Brown Taylor shares how she learned to find God beyond the church walls by embracing
the sacred as a natural part of everyday life. In An Altar in the World, Taylor
shows us how to discover altars everywhere we go and in nearly everything we do
as we learn to live with purpose, pay attention, slow down, and revere the world
we live in.
Questions? Contact Pastor Kristin at kskare@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-2404.
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Matt Tilstra
Matt Tilstra is one of our incredible and vital volunteers at
Word of Peace. He grew up on a farm in southwestern
Minnesota, and he and his wife Elizabeth have lived in
Rogers for almost 19 years. They have three children, Will,
Isabelle, and Elliot.
During his spare time, Matt enjoys
playing games and watching
movies with his family. He also
enjoys tinkering with home
automation and says that his “family
puts up with me when I try to
‘improve’ something that was
working perfectly fine before.”
In 2006, the tornado that came
through Rogers destroyed their
home and upended their lives in so
many ways. Volunteers from Word
of Peace showed up the morning
after the tornado to begin helping
with clean up, and Matt shared, “the
Church’s presence in our
community was there when we
needed it most.” As they rebuilt their
house, Word of Peace continued to be present in their
lives—preschool, church school, Sunday worship—they
became members a few years later.
A few years ago Matt started volunteering in the sound
and media booth during worship services and with our
livestreaming video technology just last year. He enjoys
being able to use his electrical engineering experience in
unexpected ways and said that he “can honestly say that I
never expected to be able to serve the church knowing
how to calculate attenuation losses in a coaxial cable or
how to configure an RS-485 network.” For all of us nonengineers,
those things are needed to connect and control
the cameras we use for our livestreaming
worship services and
events.
In the last year, Matt shared that we
have installed over 1,000 feet of new
audio and video cables at Word of
Peace. These cables help us with our
new equipment and technology. He
wants people to know that if anyone is
interested in volunteering with sound
and media to go ahead and do it. They
are always ready to help people learn.
As a final note, he shared that “it has
been my privilege to volunteer each
week for the past year during the
pandemic. In a time of great change
and uncertainty it grounded me to
know that something I did every week was hopefully
making a difference for others.”
Thank you Matt for sharing your story with us, and we are
incredibly lucky to have your passion and skills helping us
do ministry at Word of Peace.
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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
COVID Relief in India
COVID-19 is ravaging India. The country has officially recorded
over 23 million cases and 250,000 deaths. In an effort to save lives,
Padhar Hospital, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Madhya Pradesh, has a ward dedicated to COVID-19 patients. Unfortunately,
the hospital is currently being forced to turn away patients
because it lacks the space and oxygen to support them.
Word of Peace is joining with Lutheran Disaster Response to help
Padhar Hospital purchase an oxygen generator for its COVID-19
ward so it can treat more patients and not have to turn away people
suffering with COVID-19. If you are able to provide help and
hope for those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in India, please consider making a contribution to this relief
effort. (Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the church.) Please designate “India Relief” with your gift. 100%
of the funds received will go directly to our faith-based partners at Padhar Hospital and support their crucial
work.
Minnesota FoodShare
Word of Peace once again participated in Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign. This year, we held a congregational
competition between age groups that we called “March Mayhem.” This spirited competition was a
great way to have some fun and collect donations for our community. Congratulations to our seniors, who
brought in the most donations. The real winner of this competition was our community: your support through
food donations and financial gifts ensure that our neighbors are fed and receive the resources they need.
We are excited to announce that we collected 2,040 pounds of food and also presented CROSS Services with a
$10,000 donation! This check was a combination of the funds that Word of Peace earmarks each month for benevolence,
the contributions of individual members, and some funds from our COVID Response Fund. Thank
YOU for making this year’s Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign a smashing success!
CROSS Corner
We are so grateful for our congregation’s support during the Minnesota Food-
Share Drive in March that supported CROSS families. The shelves are stocked
with food for spring and into the summer. However, the below items are in
short supply.
DONATION ITEMS NEEDED:
• Hygiene Supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo,
conditioner, soap, etc.
• All types of cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, paper towels, sponges or cleaning pads, etc.
Coming in July: BACKPACK COLLECTION
CROSS is collecting backpacks filled with school supplies for elementary and secondary school students this
July. Watch for more information coming soon.
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Hug Kits
for Educators
School teachers and administrators
are weary. For the past fifteen
months, they have had to change
everything they knew about classroom
teaching and pivot. They had to
become technology experts and they
had to change their methodology to
reach students of all ages. With minimal resources, they were given an
enormous responsibility. And yet, they rose to the occasion because
they love kids. Teaching is a calling, and they followed their call to love
and serve their neighbor.
There are many ways to
give. Choose an option
that works best for you:
Text “Give”
to 77977
In May, we delivered 125 “Hug Kits” to educators that were filled with
self-care items to show our appreciation for their work and hearts.
Please continue to pray for our educators!
Have You Signed up
for MYwordofpeace?
Online
wordofpeace.org/give
MYwordofpeace is an online church
platform that we use to manage the
needs of our congregation. It is also
designed for us to stay connected
with each other and with the church.
Through MYwordofpeace, you can:
• View and update your family’s profiles, communications preferences,
and privacy settings
• Access the groups to which you belong and view group messages,
files and events
• Complete forms and register for events
• View your personal calendar, family calendar and the church-wide
calendar
• Give to Word of Peace and get real-time access to your giving records
How Do I Get a MYwordofpeace Account?
It’s easy! Go to wordofpeace.org/mywordofpeace and click the link to
request an account. Once you complete the form, you should receive
an activation email within a few days (check your junk and spam folders).
If you don't get the email, contact the church office and we’ll resend
it to you.
Once you get your login activation email, you can go in and update
your profile and the profiles of your family members. All your information
is encrypted and secure, and the site is not open to the public.
Feel free to look around and if you have any questions, please contact
the church office at info@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-2400.
Card Reader
at the Welcome Center
Cash/Check/Envelope
Mail in or Drop Off
at the Church Office
THANK YOU
for Giving to the Ministry
of Word of Peace!
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Children, Youth & Family
Kansas City, San Anotnio (x2), Atlanta (x2), New Orleans (x3), St. Louis, Detroit, Houston,
Minneapolis. What do these cities have in common? They are cities where the ELCA
National Youth Gathering has profoundly changed my life.
Kari Osmek
Director of Children, Youth
& Family Ministry
This is where I heard Jesse Jackson, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Jamie and Rebekah Bruesehoff, and Brian Stephenson
speak. The “new” green hymnals were introduced. Bishop Hanson was brought in in a bathtub (I know—it’s weird
what sticks in your memory). We built houses for Habitat for Humanity, learned about water scarcity, and rode a
zip line. We served in each city by picking up garbage, painting, helping people who are forgotten. And we
danced and sang and ate and made new friends and met Jesus.
But the thing that sticks with me is this: 35,000 Lutheran high school students. We are not alone. You are not
alone. We all praise the same God, share the same passions, care about justice and the earth and peace and inclusion.
In the summer of 2022, for the first time, our high school youth will have a chance to experience a life-changing
Youth Gathering right here in Minneapolis. We will hear from inspiring speakers and nationally known bands. We
will serve the people in our own city—imagine the difference that 35,000 people can make to the hurting in Minneapolis
and St Paul! Our young people will see that they are not alone, that their faith can make a difference,
and that we can change the world.
If you have a student currently in grades 8 through 12, watch for registration information in August and join us for
this triennial event. Learn more at elca.org/YouthGathering.
It’s a Wrap for Church School: Faith@Home
Word of Peace kids had the opportunity to learn about God’s love in 31 Church School:
Faith@Home webisodes prepared and produced by Word of Peace staff this
year. Thank you to all of our students who read Bible verses, told Bible stories and
read prayers. We loved showcasing your leadership in church school ministry at Word
of Peace, and we can’t wait to see you in person next year for church school!
Register for the 2021/22 church school session at wordofpeace.org/church-school.
Questions? Contact Dawn Saxton at dsaxton@wordofpeace.org or (763) 496-2414.
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Cameraman Jamie Guse with
Children’s Ministry leaders,
Dawn Saxton and Kari Osmek

Late Night Check-In
Children, Youth & Family
It was essential to the Children, Youth, and
Family team to connect with high school
students during COVID-19 challenges. Once
a month, we invited students to join Pastor
Kristin Skare and Word of Peace member,
Pam Johnston, via Zoom to Late Night
Check-In. Late Night Check-In provided a
place for students to play online games,
share their highs and lows, and offer up their
prayer concerns.
This group was able to gather for the first
time on May 12 in-person around a campfire.
Late-Night bonfires will continue throughout
the summer; watch for details in upcoming
communications.
Morning Glory
Word of Peace began a new ministry during the pandemic to
reach out to high school students; to start their day with
good food in their stomachs and a reminder of God’s presence.
Morning Glory began from a brainstorming session
with high school seniors, Paige Cowan and Gracine Sime,
was coordinated by Pastor Kristin, Word of Peace member,
Pam Johnston. culinary expert Jill Smith, and several members
of the Children, Youth & Family staff.
Once a month, Morning Glory leaders would arrive at church
before 6 AM each month to make a delicious breakfast for
the students and remind them that they are not alone, that
God is always with them. When it wasn’t possible to meet in
person, a blessing and breakfast to-go were delivered to
their cars in the parking lot. High school seniors were honored
on May 4 with a blessing and a prayer shawl, created by
the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Morning Glory leaders spent time
throughout the month praying for these young people.
God has done amazing things with this ministry. The highlight
every month was seeing high school student faces and being
reminded that they are a gift to this congregation.
Youth Plant Sale 2021
Another successful plant sale with Bromans Greenhouse is in the books! Kids and youth sold gardenready
plants and flowers to earn money for Word of Peace-sponsored camps, trips, ministry programs
and events.
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, the plant sale pick-up day ran smoothly and was held outside the
church on May 7. There were 905 plants sold and the proceeds are deposited into the youth fundraising
account for future use.
We thank those of you who purchased plants this year and we hope you will enjoy them all summer!
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Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
ROGERS, MN
PERMIT NO. 9
CHANGE SERVICE
REQUESTED
JOIN US FOR
SUMMER WORSHIP!
Sundays @8:30 & 9:45 AM
Mondays @6:30 PM
No worship on Monday, May 31
Details on Page 4
See Page 6 for Details