House of Prayer 
is a gathering of God's people who value:
Welcoming,
Openness, 
Compassionate Community, 
and Relationships

Here is an update of what is happening at
House of Prayer this week!
Worship This Sunday 
Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores." Luke 16:19-21

Filled by the power of the Spirit, Jesus began his ministry by teaching in the synagogue and reading from the scroll of Isaiah. He unrolled it and read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." (Luke 4:18a) Jesus' ministry never changed as he journeyed toward Jerusalem. He continued to teach, often in parables such as this one, to help the hearer, and us, to have eyes of compassion. Hope you can join us on Sunday.
Confirmation Retreat
This weekend the Confirmation youth are up at Luther Park for their annual Fall retreat. Pastor Ben is exploring the Apostles' Creed with them and they'll also have a chance to try out the low ropes course and enjoy the fun of camp. Please pray that they grow closer to God and one another through a meaningful retreat!
Morpheus Plays for Luther Park Saturday
Simple Supper Menu
The menu for Wednesday, October 2nd is tater tot hotdish, broccoli salad, roasted root vegetables, rice krispie bars and drinks. Plan on joining us each Wednesday night in Fellowship Hall at 5:30pm for food and fellowship. 
Children & Youth This Week
This week the Sunday Schoolers will finish their unit on Creation learning about how God created everything and declared it all to be GOOD! Next Wednesday the Youth Group will have a learning night on the following topics: 5th/6th graders - Suffering, Confirmation - Sabbath Day & Honoring Parents, High School - "Traffic Jam" team building. 
Family Trivia Night
If you like trivia, pizza, and fun, this is for you! We are gathering for HOP Family Trivia Night on Friday, October 11, from 6:00-8:00. Supper will be provided by Broadway Pizza! Trivia rounds will be suitable for all ages. Come as a family or as part of our HOP family. We will form teams to play several rounds of trivia and enjoy delicious pizza. Nursery care will be available. Contact Heidi Thomas at [email protected] with questions.
Card Ministry Sale Sunday
Stop by our table in the Narthex and browse our selection between services. If you would like to join the Card Ministry Team this Fall, please contact Sharon Stewart at [email protected].
Fall Festival Donations Needed
Start planning what you can donate to the festival raffle. Popular items are quilts and baby blankets, themed gift baskets, handcrafted woodworking items such as bird houses and feeders, children's furniture and toys, planters, and knickknack shelves. In preparation for Fall Festival Craft Day coming up October 19, we need some supplies you may be willing to donate: Wide mouth quart canning jars plus new lids; medium size paper bags with handles (smaller than grocery bags); tissue wrapping paper; and bubble wrap These items will be much appreciated and can be brought to the church office after October 6. Sign-up sheets will be available next Sunday for people willing to help the day of the festival, November 2. 
Sheridan Story
This fall will be House of Prayer's third year partnering with Sheridan Story at Centennial Elementary in Richfield to provide weekend food for students experiencing food insecurity. We have committed to donating $3,124 for the program throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Through your contributions we can follow through on our commitment to feed hungry kids. Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. To donate, you can send in a check to House of Prayer or put a check in the offering plate. Please make the check out to House of Prayer with Sheridan Story in the memo line. You also can donate online at www.hoplc.org. To do so, select the menu "Give," at the top of the page, then select the fund "Sheridan Story." You can give by credit card or use your check's routing and account numbers. To volunteer with packing backpacks on Fridays for Sheridan Story at Centennial Elementary, please contact Pastor Kelly at: 612-866-8471 or [email protected].
Book Discussion Group
On Thursday, October 3rd at 7:00pm in the Fireside Conference Room, we will be discussing Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NG.  Contact Jeanne Lindstrom at 612-866-4895 with questions.
HOP Fellowship Speaker
All are invited on Thursday, October 10, at 10:00am in Fellowship Hall for fellowship, speaker and refreshments. The topic is The Story of Ellis Island- Island of Hope, Island of Tears. Hear about the American immigration experience of over 18 million immigrants who journeyed to America in search of freedom and opportunity. Stories reflect their bravery facing the unknown until the doors opened at Ellis Island. Contact Noel Sagness at 612-266-0833 with questions.
Flu Shot Clinic
Nurses from HCMC will be at HOP for a flu vaccination clinic on Sunday, October 27, at 10:30am between services. It's a convenient way for all family members to get immunized. Sign-ups will begin soon at the information desk and in the office. Contact Donna Price at 952-432-7059/[email protected] with questions.
Collaboration Hits the Doors
House of Prayer, Woodlake, and Oak Grove Lutheran Churches are working together again, this time reaching out beyond our church buildings to talk with neighbors. We're working with a community organizer to go door knocking in the neighborhood and meet with key leaders around Richfiield as we search of ways we can benefit Richfield together more than any of us can do on our own. We'll collect all the feedback and work together toward new initiatives within our community - revealed at a collaboration event in early December. If you'd like to be a part of this work over the next month, please talk with Pastor Ben, Pastor Kelly, Ben Whalen, or Cara Wright.
Collaboration Alzheimer's Association Education
Upcoming education programs are presented by the Alzheimer's Association and take place at the collaborative churches. Please call HOP Office (612-866-8471) to sign up for all classes.  Contact Pastor Kelly ( [email protected] ) with questions.
  • Understanding Alzheimer's And Dementia. Saturday, Sept 28, 10am, Woodlake Lutheran Church. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's, the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available for some symptoms, and Alzheimer's Association resources.  
  • Effective Communication Strategies. Saturday, Oct 26, 1pm, House of Prayer. Communication is more than just talking and listening - it's also about sending and receiving messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. As people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias progress in their journey and the ability to use words is lost, families need new ways to connect. Join us to explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer's, learn to decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia, and identify strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. The Effective Communication Strategies program of the Alzheimer's Association was designed to profile practical information and resources to help dementia caregivers learn to decode verbal and behavioral messages from people with dementia.
  • Understanding And Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior. Saturday, Nov 23, 10am, Woodlake Lutheran Church. Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present real challenges for caregivers to manage. Join us to learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavior challenges of Alzheimer's disease.
Richfield School Board Candidates' Forum
The Richfield League of Women Voters is sponsoring a School Board Candidates' Forum on Saturday, October 5, from 9:00 to 10:30 am at the Richfield City Hall, 6700 Portland Ave. S., Richfield. For questions, contact Maureen Scaglia, LWV Richfield, 612-798-0485, [email protected].
Socializing Adult Lutherans Together (SALT) Group at Woodlake
Come one, come all to the first SALT event of the programming year on September 21, 2019 5:00pm in Woodlake's Fireside Room. We will have a potluck and games, as well as plan our events for the year. The group gets together about once a month for a social event or service project. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun! Please RSVP to Cheryl at 612-270-0371.
Augsburg Centennial Singers Concert
You are cordially invited to House of Prayer Lutheran Church for a concert by the Augsburg Centennial Singers on Sunday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. A 50-voice men's chorus, the Singers' concert features well-known gospel music, folk songs, familiar hymns, sacred selections and a spitirual or two. The Singers are men of faith and conviction. Through their music listeners are encouraged to establish and deepen a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We hope to see you at House of Prayer Lutheran Church for an inspiring evening. Contact David Steenson at  [email protected] with questions.
Summer Collaboration Project-VEAP Diapers
The VEAP Collaboration Team, with a VEAP representative from each church - Oak Grove, House of Prayer, and Woodlake - asks you to bring diapers from now until the end of September. The diapers can be any size and quantity. If you would prefer they be purchased by others, please contribute with a check made out to House of Prayer and designate "VEAP Donate & Do" in the memo line.  We will pick a Saturday in October for volunteers to meet at the VEAP warehouse to repackage the diapers for distribution. During this repackaging, VEAP gives the volunteers a tour of their facilities so we can see the whole operation and how they serve our neighbors in need. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, so plan to bring your whole family. Thank you for your continued support of this awesome organization.
Grief Group Fall Series

Bloomington-Richfield Grief Support Coalition
Thursday, September 26, 2018 - November 14, 2019, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Nativity of Mary Catholic Church
9900 Lyndale Ave. S.
Bloomington, MN
(952) 881-8671
September 26-Overview of Grief, Steve Sims
October 3-How Grief Affects the Family System, Steve Sims
October 10-The Mind-Body Connection, Lorry Lundborg
October 17-Why Do I Feel Like I'm Going Crazy? Judy Young
October 24-The Courage to Ask: Embracing Help on the Path to Healing, Dr. Renee Garpestad
October 31-Where is God in My Grief? On the Path to Healing, Stuart Walker
November 7-What's Left? Bob Bartlett
November 14-A Time to Remember or Service of Remembrance, Joan Apt
Need Prayers? 
Want to Pray for Others?
The back of our weekly attendance card gives you the opportunity to request prayers for yourself and/or someone else each week. Please check the "Prayer Chain" and/or "Staff Prayer Chain" on the prayer concerns side of the yellow "Welcome," card. If you are attending ReFuel worship please check the box on the green card under "How Can We Pray For You".  If you would like to be in the prayer chain email to pray for others please write your email address on the card and include "Add me to the Prayer Chain Email List." For ongoing prayer requests, please fill out a new card as prayer emails are updated each week.
Let's Visit!
Would you like a visitor from one of our pastoral staff members? While we often hear of needs within the congregation, sometimes we are unaware of the needs within our family of faith. Pastor Ben or Pastor Kelly would be happy to visit any of our members or friends who would like a pastoral visit. These visits could be health related but could be for any reason. Contact the church office via telephone 612-866-8471 or Pastor Ben via email [email protected].
House of Prayer Lutheran Church of Richfield, MN
 ELCA | (61 2) 866-8471
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