Green Is Good

E-Update

April 18, 2017

Forest Lake, Minnesota

We are called, gathered and sent to be a people living, loving and serving as Jesus did so that all may know Him.

Worship Times

Sunday:

9am in the Great Hall

10:30am in the Great Hall

Wednesday:

6:00pm in the Garden Chapel

Stay Connected

www.hosannaforestlake.net

Join our email list here

Green Is Good

A Note From Pastor Linda

The Lord GOD took the (hu)man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. ~Genesis 2.15

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ~

Earth Day 2017- April 22. As people of faith we are called not to worship the earth- but to care for the earth and all living things.

God commands us to keep and care for the earth, but God's edict to have dominion over the earth doesn't mean to have complete domination and exploitation of it. God gave humankind a command and told them that they must tend or keep the garden. The Hebrew word for "tend", or some translations say "keep", is "shamar" and it means more than just keep it neat and tidy. The Hebrew word means "to guard" or "to watch and protect." The other Hebrew word in this verse that's very important is the word "work" or "till", or as some translations more accurately say "to cultivate", and is from the Hebrew word "`abad" meaning "to serve" so Genesis 2:15 would better read as:

"The Lord God took the (hu)man and put him in the garden of Eden to serve it and to guard and protect it."

Psalm 24 reminds us:

"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it..."

This is not our earth because the titleholder is God and God will hold us responsible for how we care for it as God has commanded. God commands us to keep and care for the earth. That means that we are stewards of the earth.

At Hosanna the Green Earth Team (GET) represents our commitment to this task. This team focuses on how we can be better stewards of the earth. On Wednesday evening, connect360 will focus on the Care of Creation. Our worship movie will feature THE LORAX. The Green Earth Team will lead us in an inter-generational activity to help us focus on how we can take better care of this EARTH- by reducing, reusing, recycling AND re-purposing! Join us- as we prepare for EARTH DAY 2017. Bring a friend- dinner starts at 5pm- worship and activity at 6pm!

See you in church!

~Pastor Linda

PS- The Lakes Area FMSC Mobile Pack begins on Thursday. Have you signed up to pack? We need you! Invite a friend, a neighbor! Friday from 12noon-2pm, Saturday 12noon-2pm and 2:30-4:30pm. Sign up or donate here!

Prayer Requests

Rejoice and Thanksgiving
Crystal and Kelley, nieces of Ruth and Marlin Lackas, for their continued healing and for help received in their communities

Comfort and Strength in Healing in Cancer Journey

Shelley, friend of Linda Knyphausen; Beau Anderson, friend of Sill family; Tonya, friend and coworker of Vicki Croce; Anne Witalka, friend of Marlin and Ruth Lackas; Bob Olson; Beryl, friend of Elaine Schumacher; Ruth Anne Edlund; Terry Longville, friend of Sharon Sill; Bob Rupar

Healing, Recovering or Facing Other Health Issues

Noah Reedy in his job search; Nathan Acker, son of Andrea and Nick Acker and grandson of Len and Sally Wojtowicz; Continued guidance for Rebecca and Laura; Mike Chester; Shawn Pearson, brother-in-law of Mark Bergan; Emilie Harley; For those who go above and beyond in the midst of trial; Johanna Livermore; Rex Livermore, Dave Livermore's father; Bette Kuss, Ross Ohman's cousin; Dick Westcott; Ed Abbott, cousin of Denny and Shirley Wachholz; Jim Harley, husband of Emilie Harley; Sharon Kari; Cooper, great-nephew of Mary Gookins; Sharon, sister of Betty Corum

Keep Safe From Harm

Cole, grandson of Marlin and Ruth Lackas; Hayden Oliver, serving in Coast Guard

Grief Compassion

For Reid Eckert in the passing of his mother; family and friends of Hank Halfen, brother of Chuck Halfen; family and friends of Judy Cowen

Hosanna's Wednesday Night Program

Weekly Schedule of Events

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM -Dinner Hour

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM - The Good News at 6 Worship

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Education for all ages

- Faith Formation (Pre-K through Grade 6)

- Confirmation (Grade 7-9)

- Higher Ground (High School age)

- Adult Education

VOLUNTEERS are also needed to help prepare the meals and guide our children & youth in Faith Formation, Confirmation & Higher Ground. Talk with Pastor Jen Collins or Susan Wojciechowski, Food Service Coordinator, about ways you might help.

Sign Up To Volunteer at Hosanna's Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack

Going on NOW!

Packing times:
Thursday, April 20: 6:30-8:30
Friday, April 21: 12noon-2pm, 5-7pm, 7:30-9:30pm
Saturday, April 22: 9-11am, 12-2pm, 2:30-4:30pm

Register Here

Green Earth Team (GET) Plant Sale

Sunday, April 9 - Sunday, May 7

GET will be hosting a fundraiser during the month of April selling plants! Plant order forms can be filled out and picked up on Sundays before and after services, Wednesdays during Connect360 or from Kelsey at the front office during open church hours. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Okeson at [email protected]

Hosanna Men's Softball Team

Begins End of April

Registration is beginning for the Men's Softball Team! They play on Sunday nights representing Hosanna! It's a great way to get involved and we are looking for men of all ages! If you are interested, please contact Nick Kelley at [email protected].

Spring Clean-Up

Saturday, April 29
8am - 12pm

The annual spring cleanup has been set for Sat. April 29th, from 8 - 12. We are working with the Grounds crew to take care of necessary chores to ensure the lawns, gardens, parking lots, and other areas outside of Hosanna's building continue to shine!

Please bring your own tools for gardening, raking, sweeping, trimming, blowing leaves, chain sawing, trailers, gloves, or anything else you normally use for these activities. Gary Lee is the contact person for any questions 612-916-1943, or you may contact Kelsey at [email protected]

Blessing of the Car Keys: "Leaping" Into Independence

Sunday, April 30
11:30am - 1:30pm

The Blessing of the Keys is one more way the faith community is helping to instruct and lead our youth. This is a NEW milestone we have added and is open to all youth who have received their permit or driver's license since last year.

Everyone knows a whole new world opens up for families when a child receives their driver's license. New expectations, new privileges, new freedoms, and new worries all come into play. What better time to come together as a family to talk through the new expectations and privileges, as well as pray and ask for guidance. Join other families and youth as we eat lunch, create covenants and choose verses to bless the cars.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jen at [email protected] or Kelsey Hane at [email protected]

Register Here

Summer Stretch 2017

June 14, 21 and 28
July 12, 19 and 26
August 3 (optional)

The day will start with a local mission (i.e. FMSC, Second Harvest, Birchwood Senior Living Center, Local Farming), then a sack lunch with devotion; followed up with a recreational activity (i.e. Waterpark, Movie Theater, Outdoor Game Day, Bowling, Trampoline & Climbing Wall parks.) Bring your own sack lunch!

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sign up for either: Session 1 (June), Session 2 (July) OR All Sessions : 6 events, June & July

COSTS (includes t-shirt, all activities and transportation):

One Session (June or July): $100 early bird, after May 1st $125

All Summer: $150 early bird, after May 1st $200

+$25 for Celebration day at Valley Fair, to Attend Valley Fair Celebration youth must attend at least 3 events.

To sign up, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jen.

Vacation Bible School in Partnership with Luther Crest Bible Camp

July 17 - 20, 2017

Ages 3-5 (must be potty trained) 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: $40, After June 1st Cost: $45*

Grades K-6 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: $70, After June 1st Cost: $75*

PRESCHOOL VBS- A perfect introduction to VBS. This program is perfect for preschoolers who aren't quite ready of for the full-day experience yet. Chocked full of songs, games, arts & crafts and so much more, VBS is a chance for our younger students to explore the Bible in a safe, fun environment.

ALL DAY VBS- is a Christ-centered experience for those who have finished Kindergarten through Sixth Grade bringing a taste of camping ministry to campers in a familiar setting. VBS is designed to introduce a Bible Camp experience to students without being away from home at night. It is a unique blend of Outdoor Ministry and Congregational Ministry. The Luther Crest Day Camp Staff bring their own enthusiasm, leadership, and teaching styles to Hosanna each day. *Scholarships available upon request.

To register online, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jen.

Blue Grass Festival

July 29, 2017

Join Hosanna at the Annual Bluegrass Festival this July 29th at Lakeside Park. We need YOU to help represent Hosanna, to share with others the joys and highlights of our community. We are seeking people to join in the planning, set-up and volunteer day of the event. If you have a gift, talent, silent auction item or resource you'd like to contribute, let us know. Many other churches and organizations will be represented, lets show others what it means to Live, Love and Serve in Jesus' name! Contact Pastor Jen or Ann Hanson if you are interested in helping.

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.

Kitchen Compost Volunteer

The Green Earth Team (GET) is looking for a volunteer that is interested in taking on the composting task in the kitchen at Hosanna. This would involve supervising the intake of raw fruit and vegetable scraps/coffee/tea grounds etc. and following recommended procedure for composting. The compost could be used on church grounds or used personally by volunteer. If you are interested in this worthy task, please contact Kelsey at the front office at [email protected].