This Summer - STOP Coming to Church!

E-Update

June 20, 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 Time

Sunday:

9:30am at Lakeside Park in Downtown Forest Lake

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www.hosannaforestlake.net

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This Summer - STOP Coming to Church!

A Note From Pastor Linda

Jesus said: For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. ~Matthew 18

Dear Church,

What is she thinking? Is she crazy? STOP coming to church... but then what? Let me explain:

That thing you attend on Sundays? That's not church- that's a corporate worship service, and they are not the same thing. It is part of the thing, but not the thing itself. Church wasn't originally about corporate worship as much as it was about doing life together, about community, about helping one another. Church was and is about walking together through all of life's ups and downs. In fact, the early church was so dedicated to this that they practically met daily- they needed each other. They shared meals together. They prayed together. They talked about their days, celebrated in the beautiful moments, and uplifted one another during the hard moments. They were inseparable friends, because Church was designed to be a committed community.

America today is an individualistic culture. We pride ourselves on individualism and self-reliance. We live lives that are very isolated from one another. That is the opposite of church. Your church leadership has spent the month of June visioning the future church- Hosanna in particular. You will begin hearing more about this and be invited to dream with them. Here is a sneak peak: It is ALL about community- and it includes WORSHIP as a central part of what we do together.

Come to worship! Why? Because that is our corporate gathering. It is the space and the community where we gather and hear God's Word for us. It is the space and community where we are fed at the Lord's Table- forgiveness given and freedom proclaimed. It is the space and community where ALL are welcomed and where all are then sent to BE the Church in the world that God so loves.

You are NOT going to want to miss it this week. Grayson DeWolfe joins our worship team as they prepare for PRAISEFEST- this Sunday from 12noon-7:30pm at First Untied Methodist in Lindstrom. Hosanna's Worship Team plays at 2:45pm. Enjoy an afternoon of fun- for people of all ages!

See you at worship, Church!

~Pastor Linda

Prayer Requests

Comfort and Strength in Healing in Cancer Journey

Carrie Steindorf; Joe, brother of Teresa Bredahl; Mike Carlson, husband of Joyce Carlson; Ellien Connole, aunt of Ryan Grimes; 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

Laurie, niece of Roger and Cindy Kunze; Sister of Jen Bergan and family during transition; Cindy Lofton, mother of Char Houle; Ron Rebeck; Noah Reedy in his job search; Nathan Acker, son of Andrea and Nick Acker and grandson of Len and Sally Wojtowicz, with his Type 1 Diabetes; Continued guidance for Rebecca and Laura; Mike Chester; Shawn Pearson, brother-in-law of Mark Bergan; For those who go above and beyond in the midst of trial; Rex Livermore, Dave Livermore's father; 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

Compassion in Grief

For Melissa Timm-Carlson, friend of Kelly Andrews, as she lost her husband unexpectedly

Keep Safe From Harm

Hayden Oliver, serving in Coast Guard

Family Praise Fest

June 25, 2017

Join us at First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom on Sunday, June 25 from 12noon-7:30pm. Hear praise bands from local churches, enjoy a free barbecue meal at 4:30pm and have fun with family and friends. Hosanna's worship team will be performing at 2:45pm! Want to know more: lindstrommethodist.org/family-praise-fest

Mission Trip

June 24 - July 2, 2017

Hosanna Youth will be going on a mission trip to New Mexico in just a few weeks! They will be partnering in Crownpoint to build relationships with the local churches, and families within the reservation. This mission trip is a partnership between Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia, MN & Hosanna Lutheran in Forest Lake, MN. If you would like to make a donation to help those from Hosanna going, click here. If you would like to learn more about what the Hosanna Youth will be doing there, click here. Please keep the Elim and Hosanna Youth in your prayers during this trip!

Bibles and Bagels

Every Sunday at 8am June 4 - August 27

Join us for Bibles & Bagels every Sunday morning from 8am to 9am at Big Apple Bagels in Forest Lake before Worship in the Park. The address is: 508 Lake St S, Forest Lake, MN 55025. In case of inclement weather, we will be meeting at Hosanna in the Conference Room for Bibles and Bagels. We will post the change of location on our website and our Facebook by 7:30am that day. If you have any questions, contact Kelsey Hane.

Worship at the Park

Every Sunday at 9:30am Now - August 27

We will be having our Annual Worship at the Park at 9:30am each Sunday. Worship will be held at Lakeside Park in downtown Forest Lake. In case of inclement weather we will worship at Hosanna in the Great Hall. We will post the change of location on our website and Facebook by 7:30am that day. If you have any questions, contact Kelsey Hane.

Flat Luther

Flat Luther is at Hosanna! Have you heard of Flat Stanley? Join the #FlatLuther Summer & Fall Challenge! This is for EVERYONE!! It's easy... pick up your Flat Luther THIS Sunday and then start taking him with you. In honor of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, bring Flat Luther with you on your Summer adventures, to work, in your garden, Back-to-School in the Fall, every where you go! Be social- share where you've been using the #FlatLuther and #hosannafl . Or send your pictures to the church office ([email protected]) and we will post them on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

Mission Jamaica Alert!

First Payment Due in Mid June

We have begun planning our 2018 trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Our dates next year will be February 3-10. We will work with kids, build a house and possibly have a medical team. There will be lots to do for everyone! No skills are needed, except a desire to serve the children and people of Jamaica. We will be making the first deposit in mid June. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Kathleen Damon at 651-235-7296

Sacred Sites Tour presented by Saint Paul Interfaith Networks (SPIN)

Saturday, June 24, 2017

On Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 10am to 2pm SPIN will be hosting a Sacred Sites Tour. Meet at Church of St. Peter in Mendota.The tour centers around the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, what the Dakota refer to as Bdote, or "meeting place of rivers." The tour stops include Fort Snelling, the site of the Dakota internment camp following the Dakota-U.S. War, and Pilot Knob Hill, a traditional burial ground... Tours are led by Jim Bear Jacobs (Mohican) and Bob Klanderud (Dakota/Lakota), and offer an opportunity to learn about Minnesota history from a Native perspective through story-telling. Come prepared for the weather (rain or shine), and bring your own snacks. Cost: Suggested donation ($20-40) the day of the tour or online. Donations support Healing Minnesota Stories programs and events. Register names/email addresses at here. Read more here

Summer Stretch 2017

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 Session 2 (July)

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

One Session: $125

+$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.

Office Closed

July 3 - July 4, 2017

Hosanna will be observing Independence Day and the office will be closed Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. If you have any questions, contact Kelsey Hane

Sarah Circle Women's Retreat

July 12, 2017

Sarah Circle would like to invite women of all ages to our summer session on July 12, 2017 from 9am to 2pm. It is a one-day retreat at Hosanna. The day will include fellowship, Bible study and a special activity. A morning snack, lunch and beverages will be provided. For the study we will be sharing words and stories of women in the Bible. Bring a friend, your daughter, your mother, your sister or a neighbor. All are welcome. If you can attend, please contact Ann at 715-294-3161 or Barbara at 651-433-5592 and we will send you a time schedule and outline for the day's events.

All Anew: Women of the ELCA

July 13-16, 2017

Because the Tenth Triennial Gathering falls during the observance of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017, the theme resonates with reformation and transformation images. At the gathering, participants will explore ways in which the Holy Spirit changes us, acknowledging that reformation and transformation have happened and continue to happen within the community of women known as Women of the ELCA. For more information and to register click here

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

Grades K-6 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
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.

Fine Arts Camp

August 7 - 10

NEW this summer to the camp line-up is our Fine Arts Camp, open to those finishing 3 ^rd - 6 ^th grade. This camp is a great blend of fun activities to include rotating stations for Fine art (painting, drawing, sculpting) and recreational crafting. Our Fine Arts instructor, Barbara Johansen will join us as our skilled and trained Artisan. First rotation will be the Fine Arts portion; second rotation will be various recreational crafting activities. Each day will be something new to explore in the world of art! You can register here! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jen.

Kitchen Coordinator

Susan Wojciechowski has resigned from her Kitchen Coordinator position as she has accepted a full-time opportunity. We wish her well!! She will continue to volunteer in the kitchen.

NOTE: The Personnel Committee will be reviewing the Kitchen Coordinator job description and determine future needs of Hosanna.

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.

Giving Update

As of April 2017- General Ministry Giving is behind to budget by $37,800. Bills are current and paid as the staff is doing an amazing job holding down expenses. This becomes even more urgent considering that we are going into summer and summer is historically a time in the life of the church where giving goes down. Action is needed now. The work of ministry at Hosanna continues throughout the summer months. It is also the time of readying for ministry to take place in the Fall and Winter months ahead.

Your Hosanna family needs you. There are many ways to give- even if you cannot be at worship:

Mail your gift to Hosanna or drop it off at the church office- 9300 Scandia Trail North.
Text to give: text Hosanna to 50155
Go online through QGIV here
Use BILLPAY from your financial institution.
Set up direct giving though Hosanna.
Contact Roxanne Anderson at [email protected] with questions about charitable giving.