JANUARY | 2019

STORY TIME WITH THE PASTORS For this program year, we’ve been engaged in a fun experiment at Vinje. We have been working our way through the Bible with a focus called “It’s About Time.” Your pastors came up with this idea because we wanted to see if this would help you learn more about the Bible as a whole. We also wanted to help you see yourself as a part of God’s larger story, as told in Scripture, all the way from Genesis to Revelation. We have been grateful for your patience in putting up with your pastors who are always messing around and making you try new things, and we are happy to report that we think this experiment has worked. Week after week, we hear how much you’re getting out of this process, and we hope you are willing to come along with us for the ride over the next several months to see where God’s story takes us. So far, we’ve working our way through the Old Testament stories of the Bible, hearing how God walked with God’s people, and how these ancient stories relate to our life today. As we move into a New Year, that means a new focus and a New Testament. In January, we’ll be moving into the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry. Maybe you’re tired of those old stories from that dusty old testament. I have to admit, sometimes I have trouble finding the grace in at least some of the stories of the Old Testament. So it’s refreshing to move into this new time with a focus on the center of our faith, Jesus. This is, after all, the Word made flesh. This is the God, as we heard at Christmas, who comes to be with us in human form and teaches us in a real tangible way what God’s love and grace look like in our world. In the month of January, we’ll begin a series called “Story Time” focused on the stories Jesus told called “parables.” Most people think parables are simple stories meant to convey a moral point or lesson. But we think they are so much more than that. Parables invite us to use our imaginations, to put ourselves in a particular story and imagine what that story might have to say about our lives. Rather than one meaning, parables often have many meanings, and depending at what point in life you find yourself, you might hear something new each time you read them. These stories invite us into a new world and a new way of thinking about how God might be a part of our lives every day. We’re excited to hear and re-hear these stories of the Bible with you. Maybe as we do, it’ll be another opportunity for you to learn something new and grow in our faith. Maybe in this New Year, it will also be an opportunity for God to do something new in your life. Sounds like a good experiment, doesn’t it? Let’s see what God can do in this New Year with us. After all, we believe God is always making all things new. Pastor Dane

THANK YOU MUSICIANS We want to give a big shout out of gratitude to all of the musicians who have stepped up and shared their gifts this year. We are also especially grateful for those who offered their musical talents during Advent and Christmas! As we continue to look for a candidate for our director of worship and music position, we are so grateful for the ways you bless our congregation with your beautiful music. It is all of our gifts shared together that allow us to provide meaningful worship experiences here at Vinje. Thank you for the ways that you join our whole congregation as we share in our worship life together!

IT’S ABOUT TIME Join us as we dig deeper into the classic stories of the bible over the next several months. Remember to find the link to the Pastors’ “Time to Go” video message at vinjechurch.com each Tuesday!  It’s about time that you click here and check it out !

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE Thank you to everyone who has participated in our stewardship campaign for 2019. To date we have received 121 commitments from families totaling almost $400,000. We are so grateful to all of you who have made a commitment and will continue to support the ministries of Vinje for this next year. We are also grateful to those of you who have committed to increase your financial offerings this year. Our church leadership is encouraged that we will have the funds to meet our budget of close to $700,000 for 2019 and continue our vision of building a place where all are welcome at Vinje. Your response is very helpful to your church leadership as we make plans for our shared ministry this next year. As always, know that no matter what you can give, you are a gift to us. We are thankful for you and the ways God is blessing our work together! With gratitude, The Stewardship Team

LOVING ARMS UPDATE WE ARE HIRING! We are looking for a few fun, kind-hearted individuals to join our team! Duties include playing, laughing, helping and teaching. Full time, part time and afternoon shifts available. Must be 16 and love kids!  Call or email Chris for more information or to request an application! 235-7271

On Wednesday December 12th, Loving Arms presented their Christmas Program, The Many Shapes of Christmas!     Follow along with this (and all our fun) on F acebook!

Now that it is 2019 it is time to sign up for our summer mission trips. If you didn’t already know, MS youth (current grades 6-8) are going to Saint Louis from July 13-19. HS youth (current grades 8-12) are in Denver from June 21-29. These trips are filled with fun memories of friends, faith, and serving others. Feel free to talk with others who have gone on past trips to Nashville, Chicago, or Milwaukee we have always had a fun and meaningful experience. Registration is found on the Vinje website and the deadline is the end of the month so don’t wait any longer.

NEW INTERFAITH OPPORTUNITY SUNDAY, JAN 27 | 5-7 PM | WILLMAR COMMUNITY CENTER Recently, a new group of interfaith leaders has been formed to break down the barriers that often divide us. We come together under the same purpose that each of our faith traditions call us to: to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This group has been awarded a grant through Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “Healthy Together Willmar” initiative. Throughout the next year, this group wants to provide opportunities that allow us to get to know and love our neighbors better, particularly neighbors of different faith traditions from our own. The first event that we will host will be an interfaith/intercultural potluck on January 27, from 5-7pm at the Willmar Community Center. Guests are invited to bring a “family favorite” dish to share, and join in food and fellowship with people from other traditions in Willmar. Come and meet your neighbors, and join us for the opportunity to break down walls and build up our community of Willmar together.

STAFFING UPDATES Vinje is excited to share that Travis Michelson has agreed to serve as our Interim Director of Worship and Music. This expansion of what Travis does for Vinje is designed to be 10-12 hours a week and last for 6 months as we continue to search for a long term solution to this staffing vacancy. Vinje has been so blessed by so many talented musicians who have and continue to provide excellent music and worship for our community. Travis will work with all of our music leaders to schedule, coordinate, and support the ongoing music ministries of the congregation.  The Vinje Council has decided to continue to utilize Yolanda’s Cleaning Service and has discontinued the search for another custodian. Katie and Yolanda have been cleaning Vinje and Loving Arms for months and have done a fantastic job. Of course we couldn't do this without the ongoing dedication of Ron Nordby, who looks after our maintenance needs and so much more. The Council will continue to monitor this situation to ensure that it will meet the ongoing building needs of the congregation.

SAVE THE DATE: CHILDREN OF GOD SUNDAY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD | 9:30 AM WORSHIP We will celebrate “Children of God” Sunday on February 3rd. Join us for a worship service written and led by the children and youth of our congregation. Our youngest members will remind us that we are all children of God as we learn and grow in worship with them.

FEED THOSE WINTER BLUES SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 | 12:00 PM | VINJE FELLOWSHIP HALL We know the winter blues can bring even the best of us down this time of year. We’d like to provide an opportunity to bring a little cheer and community in the dead of winter. On January 12, we will have our second community quarterly meal of this program year. Join us for music, a warm home-cooked meal, and even chocolate for dessert. Invite a friend! We hope to see you there! Let’s beat those winter blues together!

NAOMI & SARAH CIRCLE NOT MEETING IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY ELIZABETH CIRCLE THURSDAY, JAN 3 | 8 AM | CAROL PARKER'S ESTHER CIRCLE THURSDAY, JAN 3 | 9:30 AM | ROOM 102 MEN’S BIBLE STUDY NOT MEETING DEC 25 OR JAN 1

VINJE ANNUAL MEETING SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD | FOLLOWING WORSHIP Join us for our annual meeting to approve the budget for 2019.

QUILTERS MEETING DATES The Vinje Quilters will not meet in January or February.

OFFERING ENVELOPES Please use them until they are gone, and then let Janet, in the church office know when you need more. Please allow a few days to process your request for more.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SKATIN’ PLACE FUN! FRIDAY, JAN 18 | 5:30 PM | MEET AT CALVARY Youth in grades 6-8 are invited to a fun evening at Skatin’ Place in Saint Cloud on January 18. We will leave the Calvary parking lot at 5:30 with friends from Willmar Area Churches. The night will be filled with roller skating, laser tag, games, and all you can eat pizza. The cost for the trip is $20. Please sign up in the church office or email Melissa if you plan to attend.

A few tips on how to better care for God’s creation at work. Print Double-Sided. Cut paper costs and save on space in your files by printing double sided. Pack a Lunch. A disposable, fast food–style lunch creates between 4 and 8 ounces of waste. One office worker who eats out regularly could be responsible for creating as much as 100 pounds of trash per year. Post reminders next to all light switches to turn off the lights when leaving the room and at the end of the day. Print Less. Avoid printing unnecessary emails or draft documents. Do as much information storing electronically. Recycle. Make sure paper and plastic recycling bins are conveniently placed near printers, work stations, and in break rooms.

VINJE ON THE GO! Vinje’s service is broadcast live each Sunday on KWLM, 1340 AM. You can also watch each service live on YouTube (go to youtube.com and search Vinje Willmar).  To view/listen to past services, click here .

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Normal Wednesday night activities (youth activities, meal and worship) will NOT take place on December 26th or January 2nd.