Worship with Us!
8:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. - Fellowship and Education
10:30 a.m. - Contemporary Worship

Holy Communion
2nd and 4th Sundays
Sunday Worship Scripture Links
In This Issue
  • Note from Pastor Marlene
  • Social Concerns
  • Commitment of Support Card
  • New Members
  • Young @ Heart
  • Bishop Visit
  • Talent Show
  • Annual Meeting
  • Snowshoeing
  • Mexico Mission
  • Walk at Rejoice
  • Community Prayers and Links
Daily Gratitude
My track record with New Year’s resolutions has not been very positive. I’m hoping that this year I can succeed, as I’m not giving anything up nor do I intend to lay out goals about diet, exercise, etc., that I won’t be able to achieve. My simple plan is to daily practice gratitude. For instance, as I put bare feet down on a cold floor one day this week, I gave thanks that I not only have slippers, but I have the blessing of a warm home on a cold January day in Minnesota.

Being human, I may certainly fall short with this resolution as well. But somehow this seems manageable and appropriate. Who knows? It might even become so habit forming that I start to practice gratitude many times each day! (No doubt this would be more than pleasing to God, right?)

So may I suggest that we all try this practice of gratitude? I can’t help but think it will help us live even more joyfully and confidently into the Rejoice mission motto which declares that “we love, we serve, we grow in Christ.”

And speaking of gratitude, the Stewardship Team would be so grateful if you would prayerfully consider and fill out your 2019 financial commitment card that came in the mail, indicating your promise to intentionally support the mission and ministry of Rejoice. Return it in the envelope provided as soon as possible (no later than Sunday, Jan. 13, please!)

Also, we are grateful, as we gather for worship this week, for the presence and witness of Hannah Sackett who will share her experience of spending a year in Rwanda as a Young Adult in Global Mission participant! Come and hear her story of how God is active in her life!

Grateful for the opportunities where we can learn and grow together in faith, a reminder to confirmation students, guides and mentors, as well as those who are part of Faith Formation, we begin again on Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

Finally, I’m grateful and excited about those who have indicated a desire to become members of Rejoice. If you know of anyone who might also be considering this but has not quite decided, invite them to come to the New Member Meet and Greet on Sunday, Jan. 13, to meet new friends and hear more about why sharing in community here is such a blessing!

Peace,
Pastor Marlene
Social Concerns Update
We celebrate ELCA missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) throughout the season of Epiphany. Hannah Sackett spent last year in Rwanda with YAGM and will share some of her experiences with us during worship:
  • Sunday, January 6 
Commitment of Support
Jesus said, ‘…give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’ (Luke 6.38)

Please prayerfully consider your ‘good measure’ response and return your commitment card using the pre-addressed envelope, or you are welcome to drop them off at church. Please return your commitment card by Sunday, January 13 . Thank you!
New Member Meet and Greet
Are you and/or your family interested in joining Rejoice? The Outreach Ministry at Rejoice will be hosting a new member meet and greet.
  • Sunday, January 13
  • 9:40-10:20 a.m.
  • Fellowship Hall

New members will be welcomed on Sunday, January 20 th . Please join us for a potluck fellowship brunch welcoming our new members between services that day.
The Pleasure of Being Young @ Heart
There's an advantage of being full of age: we'll be treated to a historical presentation of survival in the days of our forefathers by Mike Hoffman, local historian. We'll also hear sweet tunes by guitarist Terry Nelson!
  • Thursday, January 17
  • 10:30 a.m. warm yourself with cards, games and coffee
  • 12:00 p.m. lunch with program to follow

Reservations are important as it helps us to calculate how much food to make and keep the cost down. Making your reservations is easy!
Bishop Visit
Bishop Jon Anderson will be our guest speaker on Sunday, January 20.
Because Talent Matters
Come to an intergenerational event at Rejoice! All ages invited to sign up to perform at our annual talent show; we’d love to see your talent! There is a sign-up sheet on the Youth & Family table. Maybe performing isn’t your thing—save the date and plan on attending!
  • Wednesday, January 30
  • Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
  • Show starts at 7:00 p.m.
Annual Meeting
Be sure to be present at Rejoice's annual meeting, where leadership will take us through the proposed budget, we'll elect new council members and more.
  • Sunday, February 3
  • 9:40 a.m.
  • Rejoice Sanctuary

Get involved and see God's glory manifested in our congregation!
Snow Much Fun
Nature, exercise and companionship converge at our snowshoeing event. If you can walk, you can snowshoe - come give it a try!
  • Sunday, February 3
  • 2-3:30 p.m.
  • Ney Memorial Park
  • 5212 73rd St NW
  • Maple Lake MN 55358

Bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair! Sign up at the Youth & Family table or email  sara@rejoicelutheranchurch.org  by Sunday, January 20th.
Men's Mexico Mission Trip
There are spots available for men who want to escape our Minnesota winter and do some good deeds in Reynosa, Mexico. The group will travel to Children's Haven International :
  • Saturday, February 23 - Saturday, March 2, 2019

Children's Haven International provides home and refuge to 50+ needy children from broken, abusive, or impoverished families. C all James Kirchenbauer at 320.290.4879 or Ken Hutchinson at 612.845.4776 for more information or to sign up. We guarantee you'll return home with enough bright and sunny smiles to last you through the winter!
Weekday Winter Walking
Don’t let the cooler weather keep you cooped up, come walk the halls at Rejoice on weekdays!
  • Monday through Thursday:
  • 7:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Friday:
  • 7:45-11:00 a.m.

For entry, push the buzzer on the right-hand side of the door that leads to the library and office area.
Community Prayers
I f you have a loved one or friend in need of prayer, fill out a   prayer request   or use one of the prayer concern requests located on the Interest table and in the sanctuary welcome pads. The star(*) in front of a name denotes a Rejoice member. This is a dynamic list. Requests will be printed for up to four weeks; call the church office at 320.558.6851 to extend listing. If a name of a friend or loved one has been omitted please resubmit the name and/or concern using one of the prayer concern forms found in the red Welcome Pads in the worship area. 
Receiving Treatment for Cancer:
Sandy Swanson (daughter-in-law, Dick Swanson)
Nancy Andreson (friend, Sharon Dupont)
Jodi Wipper Anderson (friend Mark Gohman)
Michelle Wrightson (cousin, Mary Wilson)
Janice Novak (Ron & Carolyn Stensby)
Ruth Johnson (Laurie Hoff)
Kade Moore (Lori Lanes)
*Pete Lidberg
Others:
Doris Scharmer
Tim Klein (neighbor, Duane & Darlene Johnson)
Carmen Schmoll (friend, Wally Westerberg & Mary Bergeron)
Steve Swanson (son, Dick Swanson)
Sam (grandson, Pastor Marlene & Bill Elmstrom)
*Martha Johnson
*Jean Meyer
*Bev Hugo
Esther Persen (mother, Jim Boucher)
*Alden Gjevre
Jody Nappa (sister, Chari Ahrenholz & John Gohman)
Karin Solis (mother, Lisa Pridgeon)
Dawn Blair (friend, Lori Lanes)
Deployed or Returning from Active Duty:
* Keith Sand
Jon Fisher (brother, Joe Fisher)
Rejoice Staff
Marlene Elmstrom Interim Pastor
Carol Eich Office Administrator
Sara Miller Youth & Family Coordinator
Nicole Heberling Music Coordinator
Mary Bergeron Office Assistant