LIFE GETS THE LAST WORD
A few years ago I got to hear the story of an Armenian man, named Kevork. Kevork told of a December morning in 1988 when an earthquake leveled the apartment building he lived in with his family. He and his wife had already left for work, but he rushed home after the earthquake to find his children. He recalled how he lifted one piece of concrete after another in a futile attempt to find his son and daughter who were buried underneath the rubble. Soon rescue workers came and found his children, his daughter miraculously alive, his son was not.
Kevork said in his grief a family member gave him a book about the Hindu afterlife and the migration of the soul. He said he found the depictions of the soul’s oneness with God to be beautiful, but offered him no comfort. It wasn’t until he read of Christ’s resurrection and the promise that we will share in that resurrection, that he found peace. The man had lost a child and he longed to once again see his son to embrace him as he had before. He said that only the Christian promise of resurrection gave him the ability to do so again.
Easter celebrates the empty tomb, not just Christ’s empty tomb and resurrection, but the promise that our tombs will one day be empty. God’s plan of resurrection is the final word of abundant life spoken to us on a roller-coaster of life and death. Resurrection rights what death has wronged. Not just a metaphorical or spiritual resurrection but a real, physical, bodily transformation of death to life. This is what gives Kevork hope and peace. This is what excited Peter and the disciples as they rushed off on the first Easter morning to find out if what the women had told them was true.
God wants us to share in the triumph of life over death. God wants to be in relationship with us for more than just our earthly lives. For God who creates life, who nurtures life, who acts always in service to life, for God, life has to go on. Life wouldn’t really be life if it only was found in memories after death. It wouldn’t be enough for Jesus to only live on through his teachings or in the memories of those who followed him, it wouldn’t be enough for our loved ones to live only in stories. God is hungry for more than metaphors.
This Easter season we celebrate the risen and living Jesus. Do not think that God would want any less for any of God’s children. So celebrate that life gets the last word.
-Pastor Justin
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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
!
Click here
for our Come to the Table Discussion Guide.
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SUMMER BIBLE CAMP
VBS—JUNE 9TH-13TH
We are excited to be partnering with Green Lake Lutheran Ministries for VBS (along with our friends from Bethel and Calvary) June 9th-13th! This year, we’ll be hosting pre-k here at Vinje and grades K-5 will be bussed to Shores of St. Andrew! Please register your child(ren) ASAP via the link on the
main page of Vinje’s website
.
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LOVING ARMS
UPDATE
We had an amazing time this week as we headed to The Village on a joint field trip with our Rice Care Center friends! Playdough, playing restaurant and so much more. We ended the morning with a fantastic lunch at Giovanni’s Pizza. Lots of smiles and laughter from everyone involved!
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LOVING ARMS GERANIUM SALE
Loving Arms families will once again be selling beautiful Stacy’s Nursery geraniums ready for pick up on Mother’s Day weekend! Order yours from a Loving Arms parent or in the Church office.
Follow along with this (and all our fun) on F
acebook!
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Governor Tim Walz has put forth and initiative for having 100% of carbon-fee electricity produced in Minnesota by 2050. You can learn more about this initiative at www.environmentminnesota.org/feature/mne/100-renewable. If this is something you support, feel free to contact your elected officials and let them know.
Tim Miller 651.296.4228
Dave Baker 651.296.6206
Andrew Lang 651.296.4918
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HELP WITH EASTER FELLOWSHIP
We are looking for volunteers to bring fruit and also to assist with set up and serving for Easter fellowship. If you can help, please sign up in the church office or in the fellowship hall during Sunday fellowship hour. Thanks so much!
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
SUNDAY, MAY 5TH | AFTER WORSHIP | SANCTUARY
We will have a BRIEF congregational meeting following worship on May 5th to elect new council members.
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We welcome your donations of Easter Flowers and contributions for the Food Shelf. Your contributions can be given in memory of a loved one who has passed away, in honor of someone who is living, or in thanksgiving for a person or circumstance in your life. Forms should be submitted by April 10th in order to be listed in the Easter bulletin. Forms are available at the Welcome Desk.
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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE OPPORTUNITIES
Vinje and Bethel are joining forces to offer few fun opportunities for adults and families over the summer!
JUNE 6-8
—
QUILTER'S TRIP TO HAMILTON, MISSOURI
Registration required by April 20th. Please see the bulletin board for more information.
JUNE 26—STINGERS GAME SUITE
$10 will cover admission and all you can eat food and drink! Children are welcome. Limited tickets available. Email [email protected] to sign up.
JUNE 28-JULY 1—DULUTH GETAWAY
Registration required by April 20th. Please see the bulletin board for more information.
AUGUST 9—ARBORETUM TRIP
Admission is free, there will be a fee to cover transportation. More information coming soon.
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SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
MONDAY, APRIL 8 | 7-8 PM | GREEN LAKE BIBLE CAMP
Importance of Nutrition for Mental Health, Tips on Diet/Nutrition, Speaker Deena Heen, Registered Dietitian Educator.
Please contact Pastor Dane at 320.235.1441 or Susan Anfinson at 320.894.6278 with questions.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 14 | 10:30 AM
Vinje will be hosting a pancake breakfast after worship to support students attending any ELCA camp this summer. All proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund that will defer the costs for campers as they enjoy a faith-filled, fun experience. Please come enjoy pancakes and support our children and youth! Also, there will be a bake sale going on too with proceeds supporting youth mission trips so please plan to bring or buy….or both!
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PALM SUNDAY BAKE SALE
SUNDAY, APRIL 14 | 10:30 AM
Vinje youth are hosting a bake sale! Bring goodies to donate (wrapped and ready for sale) or buy goodies to enjoy! Your free will donations support youth mission trips! Donated cookies, bars, breads, cupcakes or pies would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off before the service on Sunday.
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NAOMI - SARAH CIRCLE
TUESDAY, APRIL 2 | 2:00 PM | ROOM 102
ESTHER CIRCLE
THURSDAY, APRIL 4 | 9:30 AM | ROOM 102
ELIZABETH CIRCLE
THURSDAY, APRIL 4 | 8:00 AM | CAROL PARKER’S
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
EVERY TUESDAY | 9:00 AM | ROOM 102
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MISSION TRIP SODA SALE
Every Wednesday in Lent, youth will be selling sodas for $1 during supper. All proceeds will go towards youth mission trips.
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QUILTERS MEET THIS MONTH
The Vinje Quilters will meet on April 11 and April 25 at 9:00 am.
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MOVING MOVIE: 5TH-8TH GRADERS
SUNDAY, APRIL 7 | 4-8 PM | $10
All 5th-8th graders are invited to join us for a fun moving movie event! The event begins at Redeemer Lutheran and continues on to Calvary and Bethel Lutheran. We’ll be watching Ralph Breaks the Internet! Dinner, dessert, games and prizes are also included in this fun event! Friends are welcome! Please sign up by April 3rd in the church office or by
emailing Melissa
.
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CHILDREN OF GOD SUNDAY
WORSHIP & POTLUCK - MAY 5
Come join us on Sunday, May 5, for a special worship service, written and led by some of our youngest members. Children will sing songs, read scripture, lead us in prayer, and help us all to remember that every person in this world is a child of God. After worship, we invite you to continue the celebration with us as we have a potluck in the fellowship hall. Bring a favorite dish to share and celebrate the gift that the children of our congregation are to us!
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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).
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