Is it strange to look forward to Lent? After all, it is supposed to be a season of repentance. Maybe it is just all the snow and a lingering winter, but Lent looks exciting this year.
This year for Lent, rather than encouraging you to give something up, we are asking that you add something to your schedule. Perhaps that means giving something up to make room for another item to your busy routine. However you do it, we hope that you find time to
come to the table
. Come to the Table is our congregational theme for Lent as we explore the many ways that we hunger in our lives, and how we are fed by God and by others.
We are excited to continue wonderful traditions like our Wednesday evening worship service with Holden Evening Prayer and members of the congregation sharing their stories. We are excited to have mentors meeting with our confirmation youth once again. We are excited for the return of a joint 10:00 AM worship service with Bethel Lutheran on Wednesday mornings.
And we are also excited about a new opportunity to talk with others about hunger and faith. This year, everyone will receive a Lenten guide to help us dive deeper into the theme. You can certainly read this guide and process things on your own or with friends or family. But we are hoping that you will
come to the table
and join with others at one of four weekly discussions. Each week is a new conversation, so you don’t have to commit to every week if you can’t make them all. There is also no need to be an expert in any way to enter into the conversations. Check out the options and pick one that works for you:
Sundays after worship at Vinje
Tuesdays @ 7 pm at the Foxhole
Wednesdays after evening worship at Vinje
Saturdays @ 10 am at the Brothers Café (Bethesda)
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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
!
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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
Loving Arms families are selling discount cards! There are great deals from lots of local businesses! If you’d like to purchase one, they are $20 and can be purchased in the main office. Thanks!
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.
Call or email Chris for more information or to request an application!
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Follow along with this (and all our fun) on F
acebook!
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A NOTE REGARDING HOSPITALIZATIONS
We are so grateful for the many volunteers who visit Vinje members who experience a hospital stay at Rice Hospital. Thank you all for extending God’s grace and hope to others.
It is difficult to make such visits if a Vinje member doesn’t name Vinje as their church home during their intake into the hospital. Should you be hospitalized, thank you for being specific regarding your church home. Also, we welcome you to call to the church office if a family member is hospitalized. That way, we can be certain that he or she get added to our prayers and visit list. Thanks again for your family’s attention to this detail.
-
Visitation Pastor Gary Mikkelson
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KITCHEN COMMITTEE
Thank you so much to the following kitchen committee members as they begin work on this large and exciting project! Kari Michelson-Council, Rick Maursetter-Council, Val Swanson-Sunday Coffee, Joni Glaesman-Funeral Servers, Randy Klein-Brotherhood, Grant Olson-Special Meals, Jean Geselius-Sunday Coffee, Ron Nordby-Staff, Melissa Hansen-Staff, Chris Stark-Loving Arms, Brad Michelson-Project Management.
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CONGREGATIONAL CARE COMMITTEE
This report was inadvertently omitted from the 2018 annual report. Our apologies.
The Congregational Care committee is a direct connection to Vinje members that are unable to attend services or participate in the life of Vinje Church due to hospitalization,
are homebound, in short term or long term care facilities. The mission is carried out by a team of Vinje members in partnership with the Visitation Pastor. This team of Vinje
volunteers make monthly or weekly visits (with/without communion); weekly hospital visits; provide meals and prayer shawls, when possible, to those in need; recognize Vinje members when ill, grieving or at times of celebrations. Many also provide assistance as greeters at Vinje funerals. These dedicated Vinje members carry out the quiet but much appreciated ministry of our church.
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MARCH IS FOOD SHELF MONTH
During March, we’ll be collecting monetary contributions as well as non-perishable food items for the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf. Please join us in supporting this important resource for our community. Monetary donations are appreciated as they can be used to access matching grant funds. Also, due to partnerships with food banks, your $10 donation can be used to purchase close to $100 worth of food. Checks can be written to Vinje with “Food Shelf” in the memo.
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WOMEN OF THE ELCA GATHERING
SATURDAY, APRIL 6 | 9 AM | KERKHOVEL LUTHERAN | $10
This year’s Lakeland Conference women’s gathering is entitled “Laughter & Joy” and will feature speaker, Marie Henriksen. Send registration to: Laurie Rothers, 20181 Co Rd 8, Glenwood, MN 56334.
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SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
TUESDAY, MARCH 19 | 8 AM-5 PM | GREEN LAKE BIBLE CAMP
First Aid For Mental Health. Presented by Marilyn Dornfield, Director of Adult Education for the National Alliance of Mentally Ill.
Click here to register
by March 12th.
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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BETHEL MOVIE MATINEES
MARCH 13 & APRIL 10 | 11:30 AM | BETHEL CHURCH
All Vinje members are invited to join Bethel for movies following their first and last morning Lenten worship services. The movies begin around 11:30 (following worship and coffee time) On March 13, we’ll watch Lars and the Real Girl and on April 10th, On the Basis of Sex. Jimmy Johns sandwiches can be ordered for the cost of $7.00. Please contact Beverly Baseman at 320.235.5450 with questions.
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NAOMI - SARAH CIRCLE
Tuesday, March 5 | 2:00 pm | Room 102
ESTHER CIRCLE
Thursday, March 7 | 9:30 am | Room 102
ELIZABETH CIRCLE
Thursday, March 7 | 8:00 am | Middle Fork
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Every Tuesday | 9:00 am | Room 102
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CIRCLE OF WELCOME
Over the next several weeks, we’ll be gearing up for a new program at Vinje through Lutheran Social Services called “Circle of Welcome.” Through this program, our congregation will have the opportunity to walk for the next year with a refugee family as friends, supporters, and advocates to help them become more established in our community. Government programs provide support for 90 days to someone who has arrived in the U.S. With language barriers and time needed to adjust to a new culture, refugees can greatly benefit from longer-term support. Our friendship and support can make all the difference in helping refugees become well-connected right here in Willmar.
We have a core team that will be providing ongoing support over the course of the next year. To get started, however, we’ll need your support as well. We are looking to match a generous grant of $2,500 to get this project off the ground. All donations are welcome. We will also need your ongoing support as different needs of our family become known, and as always, we can use your prayers for this partnership. Let’s see what difference we can make in the life of one family in our community as we do this work together!
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QUILTERS MEET THIS MONTH
The Vinje Quilters will meet on March 14th 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 at [email protected].
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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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