Worship Time

Sunday, December 24 & December 31:
9:00 AM
In the Great Hall (Lower Level)

Christmas Eve Services:
4 PM in the Great Hall
9 PM in the Garden Chapel
10:30 PM in the Garden Chapel

Stay Connected 

Like us on Facebook

View on Instagram


Join our email list here


Bah Humbug!


A Note From Pastor Linda


"For unto us a child is born..." - Isaiah 9 

 
Advent and Christmas Greetings as we enter the FINAL COUNTDOWN!
 
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was published this day (December 19) in 1843. When most people think about this Christmas classic they think SCROOGE- and when they think Scrooge they think BAH HUMBUG and a lack of Christmas cheer.
 
Friends, I think we miss the point if this is the only take-away from this Christmas classic. This story offers us a profound and timeless reminder that the things we work so hard to achieve and preserve for our own comfort and security will ultimately end up imprisoning us if we don't share them with our neighbors.
 
Scrooge was haunted by ghosts of the past, present, and future...and many of us relate to that. We, like Scrooge, get caught up in working for our own selves and we lose sight of the people and opportunities around us that are truly life-giving. We try to avoid suffering and challenges to protect ourselves, but those things become like ghosts that haunt us.
 
During these days leading up to Christmas, with a TO DO list longer than your arm, pause, take a deep breath, and remember the important things of Christmas are not the things at all- but rather the relationships; with Jesus and with each other.
 
The story of Scrooge isn't just that he was grumpy or haunted. Scrooge's story of transformation is one that shows us we can be transformed too, if we step out of the fray and enter into a full, free life in relationship with Jesus, the newborn King and fully with each other! That's the point of not only  A Christmas Carol , but Christmas itself.
 
Join us on Christmas Eve as we continue Expecting Jesus with Advent Worship at 9am and Candlelight Christmas Eve worship at 4pm, 9pm and 10:30pm.


God Bless Us Everyone!     
 ~Pastor Linda
 
*Image by Hannah Anderson 
 
 

Prayer Requests

Comfort and Strength in Healing in Cancer Journey
James Henriott; Bria Leisgang, niece of Sharon and Doug Sill; Dan Fronic, friend of Mary Thompson; Deb Krinke; Paul Wallenfelt, brother of Sue Girard; Ryder Clark, family friend of Rochelle Busch; Carrie Steindorf; Joe, brother of Teresa Bredahl; Shelley, friend of Linda Knyphausen; Beau Anderson, friend of Sill family; Tonya, friend and coworker of Vicki Croce; Beryl, friend of Elaine Schumacher; Terry Longville, friend of Sharon Sill; Bob Rupar

Healing, Recovering or Facing Other Health Issues
Ruth Lackas; Cole, grandson of Ruth and Marlin Lackas; Stephanie, daughter of Ruth and Marlin Lackas; Judy Merrell's daughter; Laura, mother of James Henriott; Joanne Johnson, mother of Julie Ohman; Christine, friend of Craig Anderson; Lynn Anderson; Becky, sister of Kathy Okeson; Phillip Aurich, nephew of Barbara Schultz; John Cupryna, brother-in-law of Mark Friesen; Sharyn, sister of Barbara Johansen; Matt Anagnostou; Ron Rebeck; Nathan Acker, son of Andrea and Nick Acker and grandson of Len and Sally Wojtowicz, with his Type 1 Diabetes; Dick Westcott; Sharon Kari; Cooper, great-nephew of Mary Gookins

Healing in a Time of Grief
The Pekron family as Phoebe lost her grandmother; Betty Corum at the loss of her sister, Sharon; family and friends of Lois Erickson; Bill Raffield with the passing of his mother; For the family and friends of Mary Halfen, sister-in-law of Chuck and Diane Halfen

Keep Safe From Harm
Hayden Oliver, serving in Coast Guard

Christmas Eve Worship Services
Sunday, December 24

9am Advent Worship- Promise in Our Impossibilities

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
4pm Christmas Praise and Worship in the Great Hall led by Hosanna's Worship Team in the Great Hall.
 
9pm & 10:30pm An Intimate Christmas Worship in the Garden Chapel with Hosanna's Choir     
 

Sawdust Savvy
Youth Fundraiser

Wednesday Night is 
CANCELLED.


Connect360 Christmas Party
TOMORROW, December 20

On Wednesday, December 20, we will be hosting our first all ages Connect360 Christmas Party!   

5:00-6:00 - DINNER

6:00-6:15 - Caroling (with a special musical guest) 

6:15-7:30 -   live music, caroling, cookie decorating and more!
 
7:00 - SPECIAL YOUTH (Grades 7-12) SOCK EXCHANGE. 

 Please contact Pastor Jen for more information.  
 

Connect360
Will Resume...
January 10, 2018

If you haven't joined us for Connect360 Wednesday nights- give it a try! 

5:00 pm - Dinner
6:00 pm - Good News & Preschool Faith Formation 
6:30 pm - Faith Formation & Education for all
 
To receive more information, please contact Pastor Jen at   [email protected] 

Christmas Hospitality Needed
Sunday, December 24

We will be needing Hospitality help on Sunday, December 24 for the 4pm Christmas Eve service here at Hosanna. If you are willing to help, please reply to this email and let Kelsey Grachek know.  

Office Closed
Monday, December 25 & Tuesday, December 26

Our Church office will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26 to allow our staff to enjoy their Christmas with their loved ones. If you have any questions, please contact Kelsey Grachek. 
 

Missing Mission Jamaica Books

Last spring four books about Mary's experiences with mission Jamaica were loaned to an unknown person. The books are titled Mission Jamaica 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and contain many treasured memories.  If you have any information about them or know who may have borrowed them, please  contact Mary Gookins at 651-464-4694 or [email protected] or Kelsey at the chuch office.

Pastor Joy's Retirement Party
Sunday, December 31, 2017

Pastor Joy is retiring! Her last worship at Bethlehem will be on December 31st, 2017. Worship will begin at 10am (Please note the time change!). Join us for worship followed by a retirement open house celebration from 12-4pm at Bethlehem. There will be a program at 2pm. If you wish to publicly speak at the program please send a message to [email protected]. We are also looking for photos of Joy for a slide show. If you have photos please send them to [email protected]. Feel free to invite and spread the word about the celebration.

Office Closed
Monday, January 1, 2018

Our Church office will be closed on Monday, January 1, 2018  to allow our staff to enjoy their New Year with their loved ones. If you have any questions, please contact Kelsey Grachek. 
 

TUBING at EKOBACKEN
Tuesday, January 2
11:30-3:30 pm

Meet at Hosanna- 11:30 am. We will carpool over to Ekobacken. Adults are welcome to join. Kids under 10 need an adult.

Bring a sack lunch.

This is an event with partnering churches in the Lakes Area. Invite your friends.

 

Yogadevotion New Sessions Starting
Saturday, January 6, 2018

 
 Yogadevotion, now in its 12th year is beginning a new session on January 6, 2018 at 9am in the Lakeside Room here at Hosanna.  
 
Yogadevotion promotes strength, flexibility and peace, in body, mind and spirit through weekly Saturday morning devotional sessions. Carrin Mahmood, certified and experienced Yogadevotional instructor, leads the hour long sessions. Women and men of all ages are invited to participate and enjoy this meditation time, while enjoying the benefits of yoga. No previous experience needed, basic yoga will be taught.
 
The seven (7) week session will run through Saturday, December 16th. Cost is $56 and classes will be held in the Lakeside Room (upper level) at Hosanna, beginning at 9 am and ending at 10 am. Please enter through the North doors. To register, contact Kathy Okeson, [email protected]
or 651-206-1676. 
 
Payment is due by Sunday, December 31st, and will be accepted in the form of checks,  made out to Hosanna (Yogadevotion in memo),  online or at the Hosanna office.
Make up sessions are available at many locations with various days/times listed on the website: www.yogadevotion.com 
 
 

Book Club
Monday, January 8, 2018

 
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season and ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder.  
Discussion date:  January 8 at 7pm
Contact Pastor Linda for questions. 
 
 

Prayer Workshop
Save The Date
Wednesday, January 10, 2017

 This is one of our Mini-Milestones, an opportunity to explore one way we live out our faith: PRAYER! This workshop is geared to help kids grades 1-3 and their families learn more about The Lord's Prayer as well as discovering How, When and Why we Pray. This is an interactive workshop that kids and their families won't want to miss. This Milestone Workshop takes place during Faith Formation.  

Dispelling the Myths and Misconceptions About Hospice Care
Wednesday, January 10, 2017

 
On Wednesday, January 10 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm the Befrienders Group will be conducting a training on Hospice Care. Hospice Care is designed to provide specialized support and comfort during an advanced illness. The purpose of this training session is to help clarify the patient services that Hospice care offers so that you and your loved ones can benefit from hospice care.
Here are a few facts you may not know about Hospice:
  • The earlier you receive Hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize medical conditions;
  • Hospice care can be paid for by Medicare, Medicaid or most insurance ;
  • While in Hospice care you may choose to continue aggressive treatments for the purpose of symptom management
Contact : Lynda Olson, Hosanna Lutheran Church Befriender Coordinator      
651-982-0856
 

Adult Education Series January 2018
Starting Wednesday, January 10, 2018

 
Getting Your Affairs in Order:  Celebrating LIFE!
 
Plan for the future!  No one ever plans on being sick or disabled.  Yet, it is this kind of planning that can make all the difference in an emergency.   Want to be sure all your affairs are in order- but not sure where to begin?  Start here- Wednesdays at Hosanna from 6:30-7:30pm
 
January 10:  Befriender Sponsored Symposium on Hospice- what is it and how can it be helpful?
January 17:  Sr. Annette Langdon- from Fairview Health on Advance Care Directives
January 24:  Scott Mueller- from Mueller Memorial
January 31: Rob Collins- from Collins Law Office specializing in estate planning and elder care 

Cherish All Children Super Bowl Kick-Off Event
Saturday, January 13, 2018
10am - 12pm
 
Come join us to learn how the faith community can support service providers working to curb sex trafficking during and around the Super Bowl! This event is being held at Lutheran Social Services in St. Paul. For questions or more information, email [email protected] or call Joy McElroy at 651-207-3357. 

YOUTH MLK EVENT
Sunday, January 14th
12:30-5:15 pm

Grades 7 & up - Lunch Provided.

You're invited. Lunch and conversation making connections with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to our own lives. A showing of the film Selma (PG-13) to follow discussion.    
 

Snow Shoveling Volunteers Needed

It's that time of the year again! The Facilities Team is looking for a few volunteers to help us on Sunday mornings shovel and salt the sidewalks to ensure safety for our church members coming in for services! You will be paid in coffee or hot cocoa! Please contact Kelsey Grachek or Tom Croce to sign up or learn more.
 

Winter Fest
Formerly known as 'the Souper Bowl'
Save the Date: Friday, February 9
6:00- 9:00 pm

Fun Family Event - All Ages

Food - Games - Bouncy House 
Silent Auction - Mega Raffle 
and MORE!
   
Discounted Admission Tickets begin January 7th

Mega Raffle Tickets begin
January 7th!
Limited quantity being sold - $10 each or 12 for $100
Get yours NOW and don't miss out
on your chance to win:
1st Prize: Joyful Noise Friends & Family Tickets (4)
2nd Prize: Xbox One
3rd & 4th: Google Home minis

We are looking for Winter Fest Volunteer Team Members.
If you are interested in planning in any way let us know.

Questions? OR Information contact:
Rob Anderson, [email protected]
Pastor Jen Collins, [email protected]
 

Faith Formation Volunteers Needed

Are you able to help out with the kids in Faith Formation on Wednesday nights? Contact Pastor Jen with comments or to sign-up! You can also sign up for specific dates online here via signup genius.


Hosanna Choir

The 2017-2018 Hosanna Choir has begun rehearsing! They rehearse every Wednesday night at 7:45pm in the Great Hall. This is a no-audition choir and all are welcome to join! If you have any questions, please contact Choir Director Charlie Ollmann.


Hospitality Team

We are currently looking for people that would be willing and excited to join a Hospitality Team! This would be a fabulous opportunity to get involved monthly with your church and to have something to look forward to with your entire family! If you are interested, please contact Kelsey here.   

Event Planning Team

We are in need of people to help us with events! Kelsey Hane is currently creating a team that can help coordinate weddings, parties and other events that use our church facilities, in hopes of making this a more event-friendly space. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Kelsey here. 

Hosanna Staff

Linda Friesen, Pastor
651-464-5502 ext. 2006

Jen Collins, Associate Pastor
651-464-5502 ext. 2023

Rob Anderson, Director of Worship and Music
651-464-5502 ext. 2008
 
Kelsey Grachek, Executive Assistant
651-464-5502 ext. 2000
 
Roxanne Anderson, Finance
651-464-5502 ext. 2013
 
Alicia Bauer, Bookkeeper
651-464-5502 ext. 2013
 
Tiffany KinCannon, Kitchen Manager
 
Charlie Ollman, Choir Director
 
Mary Gookins, Handbell Choir Director
 
Lisa Sauer, Children's Choir Director
 
Phyllis Lindberg, Accompanist


Locate Our Council Minutes and Information Here