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Here is an update of what is happening at
House of Prayer this week!
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Worship This Sunday
But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. Luke 6:27-29
What do we do with the hurt and anger we experience? Do we hold onto our pain and allow it to exert power over our thoughts and actions? Or do we release our pain and forgive those who have hurt us? These are hard questions all humans face in life. Jesus' words in Sunday's gospel encourage us to love our enemies but this is extremely difficult. Join us Sunday as we consider the cost of an unforgiving heart and how our lives are shaped by forgiveness.
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Congregational Meeting Sunday
At the congregational meeting on February 17, 2019, there was overwhelming support from the congregation to move forward to call Minister Kelly Sandin as ¾ time Associate Pastor. The vote was 101-3, without the Call Committee or LMT votes. Minister Kelly has accepted the call offer and we are waiting for the ELCA to conclude the background check process. Once it is complete, we anticipate that Minister Kelly will start her new responsibilities on March 4, 2019. A date for her ordination/installation is pending and more details for the congregation will be available soon. Thank you to all who have committed to increase contributions to HOP to make this new position possible. Some have already started their additional giving and now would be the time for others to do so as well. We look forward to the ability to increase our ministry and mission with this exciting addition to our staff. Contact Scott Wright with any questions at 612-386-6847 or
[email protected].
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Pick Up Your Directory
Our new HOP Photo Directories from LifeTouch are here! Please pick up your copy in the Narthex on Sunday, Feb 24, or during the week in the Church Office. Directories are free to those who had a photo taken. If you didn't have a photo taken but would like to purchase a directory, they are available for $10 (cash or check payable to HOP). Contact Cara Wright at 612-866-8471 or [email protected] with questions.
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Simple Supper Menu
The menu for Wednesday, February 27th is pulled beef on buns, broccoli salad, tater tots, and fruit. Join us at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall!
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Simple Crock Pot Meals for Lent
Formerly known as Simple Soup Suppers, beginning March 13, 2019, we will start serving Simple Crockpot Meals to members and guests! DuAnn would love people to volunteer to make their favorite soup or favorite crockpot meal! Cooking in a crockpot is a wonderful way to conserve energy, make something delicious and put your culinary skills to the greater good. DuAnn will provide a crockpot meal too along with bread, salad and drinks. Two other crockpot meals would be most welcome for each week: March 13, 20, 27, April 3, and 10. Please email
[email protected] to let DuAnn know if you are interested and what you will make. Thank you!
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Children & Youth This Week
The Sunday School children continue exploring Jesus' Parable of the Sower and the patterns we see in God's Word. Next week the Youth Group will enjoy some time outdoors with sledding and other winter games (weather dependent).
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Invest in Our Youth
Our high school youth group is going to Chicago this summer for a mission trip and children of all ages will be heading to summer camp. We're asking YOU to join us in these life-changing experiences by investing in a "share" of them for $50 (or whatever amount is meaningful to you). All shareholders will get periodic updates as we prepare as well as photos and stories from the trip & camp. At the end of the summer, all shareholders will be invited to join the youth for a dinner where they will share about their experience. Shares will go on sale this Sunday (February 24th) through March 17th. Youth will be available on Sunday mornings to answer questions and sell shares to anyone who is interested. Thank you in advance for your support!
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Summer Camp at Luther Park
House of Prayer children in grades 1-12 are encouraged to attend Luther Park Bible Camp together the week of July 21-26. This year we are committing to cover HALF of the cost for all campers who attend so that money doesn't stop anyone from this faith-filled and life changing experience. You can sign up at www.lutherpark.com or reach out to Ben Whalen for more info(
[email protected]
or 612-500-9523).
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Youth Lock-In
Our annual Lock-In with the Gustavus Youth Outreach team will be on Friday, March 15th starting at 7pm and going until 7am on Saturday. All current 7th-12th graders are encouraged to come and invite friends. Activities will include lots of games, worship, pizza, Bible study, and maybe sleep (at least for some). This event is FREE but you need to sign up with Ben Whalen by March 10th.
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Take the Discipleship Challenge
Pastor Ben wrote The Discipleship Challenge several years ago as a way to help people form spiritual habits. The Discipleship Challenge takes place during Lent (Ash Wednesday is March 6) and offers a daily schedule for spiritual discipline that will strengthen your prayer life, broaden your biblical literacy, help you be more generous with your time and money, and deepen your relationship with God and close friends. Sign up on the attendance card or email Pastor Ben at [email protected] if you would like to attend. Copies of the book are available for sale in the church office on Sundays and during the week. The cost of the book is $10 and all proceeds will fund our Lenten mission project through Lutheran World Hunger.
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Book Discussion Group
We will meet on Thurs., March 7th at 7:00pm to discuss "What Alice Forgot" by Leann Moriarty. On April 14th, we will discuss "The Women in the Window" by A.J.Finn. All are welcome!
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Racial Justice Conversation
Five people met January 31st at Oak Grove Lutheran Church for the first Racial Justice Conversation. We decided to read the book Real American by Julie Lythcott-Hains for our next conversation in March.
A second meeting will be meeting held February 26th at 6:30pm at Oak Grove in the church Fellowship Hall to watch the documentary Thirteenth.
"Selma" director Ava DuVernay's Netflix documentary "13th" homogenizes a lot of discussion and history into a profound resource on the black experience in America with an emphasis on the post-Civil Rights era. To use the most relevant terms, it explains why, in fact, black lives matter." (Description on the Internet)
We welcome others to join our group as we grapple with what we are called to do to work towards racial justice in our communities. Questions can be directed to Jan Philibert, 612-401-7492.
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VEAP Donation March
We have been asked by VEAP to bring canned fruit for March. Please bring your canned fruit donations and place them in the collection bin in the Narthex. Thanks in advance for your continued generosity and support to VEAP!
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Bloomington-Richfield Grief Support Coalition
2019 WINTER SERIES
Thursday, January 3, 2019 - February 21, 2019
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Transfiguration Lutheran Church, 11000 France Ave. So. Bloomington MN
952-884-2364
February 21: Strategies for Getting Unstuck - Beryl Schewe
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Let's Visit!
Would you like a visitor from one of our pastoral staff members? While we often hear of needs within the congregation, sometimes we are unaware of the needs within our family of faith. Pastor Ben or Minister Kelly would be happy to visit any of our members or friends who would like a pastoral visit. These visits could be health related but could be for any reason. Contact the church office via telephone 612-866-8471 or Pastor Ben via email
[email protected].
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House of Prayer Lutheran Church of Richfield, MN
ELCA | (61
2) 866-8471
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