AUGUST | 2020
WAITING WITHOUT WORRY: NOT OUR STRONG SUIT
I don’t like to wait. I don’t have to do it particularly often, but when the occasion arrives in which I am required to wait I don’t like it. It seems boring – perhaps even by definition. For many years I thought the solution to waiting was my phone. Ever since they made phones “smart” we haven’t really had to wait as much. Sadly that means we are less skilled in waiting, but also less bored. When I’m confronted with a few quiet minutes of nothingness in a waiting room I turn to my email, music library, a large selection of games, and the entire internet to keep me company. I no longer worry about those few minutes at a restaurant waiting for my food to arrive since I have angry birds or streaming a pod cast to distract me. 

Of course there are many things in our lives that our phones can’t help us avoid. Waiting seems natural and unavoidable when things are out of our control. Recently I had to wait twelve extra days for the birth of Remy, I was anxious. I find myself waiting for a solution to the Covid pandemic, this too, makes me anxious. Waiting for the start of school, waiting for test results, waiting, waiting, waiting. It seems to produce anxiety and it seems that we as a society aren’t very good at waiting. 

Clearly we aren’t alone in lacking skills in patiently waiting. And it isn’t something caused by modern phone technology. It has long been an issue for humans. The scriptures are filled with references to waiting. And in those many references lies clues for how we should wait: with hope. For as people of faith we know that whatever the immediate outcome, the final word belongs to our loving God who has promised good to us. Here are some reminders that may help you wait with hope the next time you find your anxiety increasing. 
-Pastor Justin 
But as for me, I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7) 

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) 

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning.
(Psalm 130) 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. (Romans 12:12) 

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
WELCOME REMY!
Pastor Justin and Seyward welcomed little Remy to the world last week! Brooklyn and Maggie are loving their big sister roles and the whole family agrees that he was worth the wait!
REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD!
Vinje’s first in-person worship after a five month hiatus was a success! Despite a bit of wind, it was a beautiful morning at Green Lake Bible Camp! It was fantastic to be worshiping together again! We are so grateful to all those who assisted in worship, to Green Lake Bible Camp for hosting and to all those that attended! We hope that, if you feel comfortable, you will be able to join us for one of these waterfront worship services in coming weeks! To sign up, head to Vinje's website and scroll down to the registration link. Also, please know that online/radio worship services will continue as well!
Thanks to all the volunteers that weed and water the gardens. We will have a bumper crop of potatoes and squash! The butterfly garden is full of perennials. Come and see!
LOVING ARMS UPDATE
Although we have certainly had our share of trials over the past several months, we continue to be grateful for many blessings. Our enrollment continues to slowly climb back towards “regular” numbers and we have been able to bring back all furloughed teachers. We are very happy to welcome both teachers and children back and have also enjoyed adding some new children to Loving Arms as well. 
Karen Wojahn, Director of Music
On a recent Sunday broadcast, you might have heard the duet that was sung by Kris Swanson and Peggy Karsten. They recorded their parts separately, and I put them together to create a virtual duet. Would you like to be part of a Virtual Choir for an upcoming worship service? I am looking for singers of all ages. Previous choir participation is not a requirement.
You will need to have two devices and earbuds/headphones: one device (like a laptop, computer) on which you can play the accompaniment that I will send you, earbuds/headphones that connect to that laptop/computer, and another device (like a cell phone) on which you can record yourself singing. The key is that you will be listening to my accompaniment while you sing, but the recording you make will only be your voice, not the accompaniment.
After recording yourself, you would upload and send me your recording. It’s amazing how the voices can be blended together! Want to give this a try? Send me an email!
Have you missed being in the Vinje sanctuary? Beginning on August 4 and continuing until Labor Day, Music & Meditation in the Vinje sanctuary will be available on Tuesday mornings between 10:00 and 12:30. On the hour, Director of Music Karen Wojahn will provide 10 minutes of music for your personal reflection and prayer time. Please pre-register for a half-hour time slot by calling or emailing the church office. Plan to wear a face mask and enter Vinje through the Willmar Avenue door. Church staff members welcome your phone calls and emails but will not be available for in-person visits at this time.
VINJE COUNCIL MEETING RECAP
July Council Highlights…
  • Approved contract with Corti Cleaning for services.
  • Reviewed the PPP loan. The hope is that most of the loan will be forgiven.
  • Approved Covid-19 guidelines developed by the Covid Task Force. 
  • Approved 6 weeks of worship at GLBC to be followed by worship service in the sanctuary. These services may be canceled due to increased infection rates.
Make a one-time contribution or set up reoccurring giving here. Need help? Call the church office!
VINJE ON THE GO!
RADIO Listen on Sundays at 9:30 am on KWLM, 1340 AM.
INTERNET Watch anytime! (go to YouTube and search Vinje Willmar). 
TV Watch local access channel, WRAC 8/180, Sundays at 2:30 pm and 8:30 pm, Tuesdays at 8 am and 5 pm or Saturdays at 6 pm.