All Are Welcome Here

E-Update

July 24, 2018

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

Sundays:

9:30 AM

Outside on the lower level of the building

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Stay Connected

www.hosannaforestlake.net

Join our email list here

All Are Welcome Here

A Note From Pastor Linda

Paul writes: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

(Galatians 3)

Dear Friends,

As I prepare for Sunday I cannot help but hear Hannah Anderson's words echo in my mind. Hannah was one of the Youth Gathering participants who spoke at worship about her experience at the National Youth Gathering. Do you remember her words? She questioned us about being welcoming to ALL people.

"Is the church," she asked, "is this church welcoming to all people?"

This followed by Lily Monson's stories of what she heard and experienced at the Gathering got me thinking: We say ALL ARE WELCOME... but are we welcoming?

My initial response was, of course we are... but then I hesitated...

After their hometown high school of Maple Grove was riddled with racist graffiti, four longtime friends created a slogan that changed the look of a community: "All Are Welcome Here." Since the signs were first created in November of 2016, those words have been translated into Spanish, French, Ojibwe, Lakota, Somali, Hmong, Hmoob, Hebrew and Arabic, now more than 11,000 signs across 40 states and counting. From the All Are Welcome Here website:

Our mission is to support an inclusive, non-partisan, and positive environment for All in the state of Minnesota and the broader United States. We believe diversity makes Minnesota and the United States great, and we are committed to taking concrete actions to support our mission and vision.

The All Are Welcome Here founders consider their mission "for purpose" rather than a "for profit" business, nonpartisan and secular. It's been almost two years since the rainbow-colored signs began appearing on corners of Twin Cities communities, in a business window, outside a school, perched a lawn, in front of a church sidewalk. These signs have opened up dialogue and continue to remind us and challenge us that ALL ARE WELCOME HERE.

It's been some 2000 years since Peter- a follower of Jesus- moved from being an excluder to an includer- this by the power of the Holy Spirit. On Sunday his words, not mine, will challenge us to consider what the kingdom of God really looks like!

All Are Welcome Here!!! - invite a neighbor to join you! Be welcoming and inviting!

~Pastor Linda

Prayer Requests

Comfort and Strength in Cancer Journey

Nan, friend of Elaine Schumacher; Bev, aunt of Laura Livermore; Bob Murphy, friend of Mary Gookins; Darrell, friend of the Ohman Family; Kafa, friend of the Ohman Family; Jeremy; James Henriott; Bria Leisgang, niece of Sharon and Doug Sill; Deb Krinke; Paul Wallenfelt, brother of Sue Girard; Ryder Clark, family friend of Rochelle Busch; 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

Alex, niece of Dave and Laura Livermore; Dee Eckert; Dale, friend of Tammy Cortes; Richard Lee, brother of Gary Lee; Becky Steindorf, daughter of Rick Steindorf; Charlie Ollmann, Andrew Huseth, cousin of Kathy Okeson; Ruth Lackas; Cole Anderson, grandson of Ruth & Marlin Lackas; Stephanie Lackas, daughter of Ruth & Marlin Lackas; Laura Carlson; The Oster Family; Ann Hanson; Tomi Sinclair, mother of Laura Carlson; Ashlyn; Juniper, granddaughter of Buck & Laura Carlson; Rex Livermore, father of Dave Livermore; Laura, mother of James Henriott; Joanne Johnson, mother of Julie Ohman; John Cupryna, brother-in-law of Mark Friesen; Sharyn, sister of Barbara Johansen; Matt Anagnostou; Nathan Acker, son of Andrea and Nick Acker and grandson of Len and Sally Wojtowicz; Dick Westcott; Sharon Kari; Cooper, great-nephew of Mary Gookins

Keep Safe From Harm

Adam, grandson of James Henriott

Summer Book Club on the Lake!

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Wednesday, July 25

6:30pm

(Will be held inside at Monson's house in case of rain)

We will be discussing the book " Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng, which was named Best Book of the Year by NPR, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and is a New York Times Best Seller!

Little Fires Everywhere begins with a house fire and a question: Who set it, and why? The house belongs to Elena and Bill Richardson, a wealthy white couple who epitomize success in picture-perfect, late-90's Shaker Heights, and their four teenage children, including girl-next-door, Lexie and the troubled prankster, Izzy, who is suspected of arson. "The firemen said there were little fires everywhere," Lexie says. "Multiple points of origin. Possible use of accelerant. Not an accident." Author Ng returns to the past for answers.

We will gather at Curt and Kelly Monson's home on Forest Lake at 8336 North Shore Trail and head out on the pontoon for an evening of conversation and connection. Contact Pastor Linda with questions.

Giving Statements

Please look in your emails for your mid-year giving statement. There is a growing number of people who appreciate seeing where they are in their giving at this point in the year. Please also let Roxanne Anderson know if you have a preferred way to receive statements other than email.

Summer Worship

Outside- Hosanna Front Lawn

9:30 am

Worship will be at 9:30 AM on the lawn outside of the Great Hall, so bring your folding chairs and blankets!

In the case of inclement weather, we will worship indoors. We are very excited to be at home for the summer! Contact Kelsey Grachek with questions.

Summer Bible Study Conversations

At Hosanna in Upstairs Commons

8:30 am every Sunday

Join us for bible conversations! Our worship is paired with an opportunity to come dig deeper into our weekly text. This will take place prior to worship, 8:30am. Join in conversations about what God's Word means for our lives.

Coffee and treats provided. Contact Pastor Linda with questions.

Hosanna Softball

Sunday, July 29

On Sunday, July 29 the Hosanna Softball team will be taking on St. Peters Catholic Church at 4pm! Go HLC!

Thanks from the Green Earth Team

Our recent plant sale and community fundraiser with Forest Lake Floral generated almost $500! Those funds will be used to continue Hosanna's desire to be the best we can in caring for God's creation.

Senior Adult Ministries (SAM) Lunch at Tippy Canoes

Thursday, August 2

SAM will be heading to Wisconsin for our monthly lunch on August 2nd! Our summer is quickly passing, so we decided to enjoy the beauty of the season by traveling a short distance across the St. Croix river into Wisconsin. We hope you will be able to join us! Our SAM (Senior Adult Ministry) group is a fun loving bunch of folks who love to get together with their friends for lunch. Please join us, we know you will have a great time. Let Lynda Olson know if you can join us by responding to this email or call 651-982-0856. Please feel free to join us, even if you haven't responded earlier. We know plans change sometime! There is always room at the tables for more chairs!

Confirmation Retreat

Save The Date

Friday, August 3 - Saturday, August 4

All Youth getting confirmed this fall will be having a Confirmation Retreat at Camp Wapo in Amery, Wisconsin Friday, August 3 through Saturday, August 4. More details to come. Contact Pastor Jen for details.

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, August 5 in worship

In celebration of the sacredness of all creation , we honor the animals that share our lives and touch our hearts. Bring your (well-behaved) pet to receive a blessing during worship.

Rangers Supporting Rangers Backpack Collection

All Items Due by Sunday, August 5

We have started the annual collection of backpack and school items for the Rangers Supporting Rangers Backpack Collection. Items can be donated on Sundays in a box near the alter or in the box outside of the church office.

The items we currently need are:

Backpacks
notebooks
crayon
pencils
glue
glue sticks
markers
erasers
rulers
scissors
folders

All items are due by Sunday, August 5. Contact Pastor Linda with questions

Summer Stretch: Special Addition

Thursday, August 9

Who: Adults over 18+

When: Thursday, August 9th

Time: 11:30 am - 4:00 pm*

*Note: Meet at Hosanna by 10:30 if want to carpool, also- you may choose to show up just to SERVE from 1:30-4:00 pm. Do let Pr. Jen know your option.

Where is Lunch: Midtown Global Market, https://midtownglobalmarket.org/

Where are we Serving: Open Arms of Minnesota, https://www.openarmsmn.org/

What is this Summer Stretch: Special Edition about?

This whole summer for the past 3 years our Jr. High and Sr. High youth have been participating in this amazing opportunity. We think its time to share in the fun and have a SPECIAL EDITION for all of you adults to get a taste.

Summer Stretch is designed to be service oriented and fellowship centered. We spend time with God, one another and our community. Hence, the lunch planned for Midtown Global market- an opportunity to fellowship and be in a different part of your community, experience an array of foods (suggest trying something new!). We then will shift over about 10 min away to Open Arm MN to join in their meal prep. There is a role for everyone of any age (18+) or ability need.

Open Arms MN is a nonprofit that cooks and delivers free, nutritious meals to people living with life-threatening illnesses in the Twin Cities.

Sundae Sunday

Sunday, August 12

I scream. You scream. We ALL scream for ICE CREAM! Join us on the second Sunday of each month in the summer for Sundae Sundays! Following worship, stay for fun, conversation, and ICE CREAM!

Hospitality Extravaganza!

Sunday, August 19 - After Worship

Have you ever wondered how everything gets done on Sunday mornings? The Hospitality Teams are what help make Sundays work! We will be having an appreciation lunch and brief training for all current and potential members! Being on a Hospitality Team is an opportunity to serve with your entire family, while meeting new people here at Hosanna! Contact Kelsey Grachek for more information.

Join Us For The State Fair WHILE Making a Difference for Hosanna!

August 23 - September 3

Are you interested in helping raise funds with your family for Hosanna WHILE getting free tickets to the State Fair? Please join us some night for Coliseum Clean-up! It's fun for the entire family! Sign up for any date between August 23 and September 3. To sign up, click here or look for the sign up sheets at the Hospitality Table.