UBUNTU

E-Update

July 31, 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

Ubuntu - I am, because we are.

A Note From Pastor Linda

We, who are many, are one body in Christ... (Romans 12)

Dear Friends,

I ran across this story recently and it spoke deeply to me considering the deep divisions in our world.

UBUNTU is a very nice story from Africa and is the motivation behind the Ubuntu culture in Africa. I think we could learn much from it- so I share it with you today:

An anthropologist proposed a game to the African tribal children... He placed a basket of sweets near a tree and made the children stand 100 meters away. He then announced that whoever reaches the basket first would get all the sweets in the basket. Then he said: Ready, set, GO!

Do you know what these children did?

They all held each other's hands, ran together towards the tree, divided the sweets equally among themselves, ate the sweets and enjoyed it.

When the Anthropologist asked them why they did so they answered, "UBUNTU!"

UBUNTU means: How can one be happy when the others are sad?

UBUNTU in their language means: I am because we are.

We NEED each other- and the world NEEDS us. Disagreeing is OK. We have always disagreed, but what is making these disagreements so toxic is that we refuse to make eye contact with our opponents, or try to see things as they might, or consider some middle or common ground... We refuse to hold hands and live life together.

How might we disagree well? I read a recent post that said something like this:

To disagree well you must first understand well. You have to read deeply, listen carefully, watch closely. You need to grant respect to the other- and allow for the possibility that you might yet be persuaded of what they have to say. In other words you need to shut up, listen up, pause and reconsider... and only then speak.

I didn't say it would be easy- but it is needed. Either that- or hold hands!!

Ubuntu!

~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

Lynda Olson; 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; Cole Anderson, grandson of Ruth & Marlin Lackas; Charlie Ollmann; Richard Lee, brother of Gary Lee; Andrew Huseth, cousin of Kathy Okeson; Ruth Lackas; Stephanie Lackas, daughter of Ruth & Marlin Lackas; Laura Carlson; The Oster Family;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

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.

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.

Summer Worship

Outside- Hosanna Front Lawn

9:30 am through September 2

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 through September 2

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.

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 or a photo of your 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.

Green Earth Team Meeting

Sunday, August 12

The Green Earth Team (GET) will be having their monthly meeting on Sunday, August 12. Please contact the church office for more information.

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 at [email protected] 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.

Got Questions? Get Answers.

New Fall Sunday Series Starting September 9

Everyone has questions. Young children ask "why?" Teenagers ask "why not?" Adults question "what if?" Do you have questions about God, Jesus, the Bible? Do you have questions about life? Do you have questions for God about life? Every day, more and more people are going to Siri or Alexa or Google to find answers to their questions about and for God. I have a better idea: Come to Hosanna to "get answers."

God's story in my life: Receive 1st Bible-Spark story bible

Celebration Date:

Sunday, September 9

Celebrated in the fall, this milestone recognizes the exciting step children take as they enter Life Long Learning (Hosanna's version of Sunday school on Wednesday Nights). Preschoolers who are beginning their first full year of Life Long Learning will experience a special blessing and will receive their own SPARK Story Bible. Those elementary aged kids who have not received a SPARK Story Bible are invited to participate. This Milestone Celebration takes place at all worship services. Contact Pastor Jen for more information.