Here's an update about what is happening at House of Prayer! | |
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Sunday Worship
Real Presence
The real presence of God can be hard to find, hard to locate, and even harder to understand, and often we hear conflicting messages about God and what God is all about. Is God with them or is God with us? How can we sort it all out? Through the “God lens” we are reminded of God’s presence and how God is sometimes in the place we are least likely to look. If you have any questions about worship, contact Pastor Eric 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org.
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ReFuel Coffeehouse
Style Worship
March 9, 2025
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VEAP/Thrivent Hygiene Kits Packing
Thanks to everyone who participated by donation of supplies, dollars and/or time. I am in shock and awe that we were able to complete all of the packing in just under 90 minutes. I think we had about 40 people packing. We packed about 680 toilet paper, 108 period supply and 419 diaper packages. All of these supplies will get to VEAP within the next week to be distributed across the community. A special thank you to Thrivent and House of Prayer Lutheran Church members for their financial support. Please contact Christine Barneson at cmillerdance@gmail.com.
And a message from Karen Hancock (Volunteer Manager at VEAP):
Hi All,
Just wanted to chime in with a huge THANK YOU from VEAP!! What an amazingly generous donation, we can’t thank you enough for all your efforts on behalf of the folks we serve.
Kindly,
Karen Hancock
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Synod Assembly Delegates Needed
Each year our Minneapolis Area Synod gathers in Assembly. It is a chance for delegates from each of our 134 congregations to come together with the rostered leaders to hear about the wider work of the ELCA and partner organizations and to work together to give guidance to how our churches share God’s love in the world. House of Prayer is allotted 2 lay voting delegates to be part of this work. If you are able to serve in this way for the Synod Assembly which meets the evening of May 2 and during the day May 3, reach out to Pastor Korla or Pastor Eric.
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org. or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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Book Launch:
No One Taught Me How to Be a Man
Monday Apr 14th, 2025, 6:00 PM
As a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, House of Prayer Lutheran Church is committed to welcome, including, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We work toward racial equity and commit to anti-racist work. As part of this commitment, which we believe reflects God’s love for all people, we invite you to participate in this event.
Please join Moon Palace Books and author Shannon T. L. Kearns on Monday, April 14th at 6:00pm to celebrate the release of No One Taught Me How to Be a Man: What a Trans Man's Experience Reveals About Masculinity. Shannon will be joined in conversation by Chris Stedman and Kyle "Guante" Tran Myhre.
**This is an in-person event, and masks are required in the store.**
No one ever taught Shannon Kearns how to be a man. As a trans man, Shannon was presumed female at birth and constructed his relationship with masculinity after his transition, using bits and pieces he gathered from the world around him: male behavior, pop culture portrayals, and cultural expectations for men that seemed to be in the air he breathed. In No One Taught Me How to Be a Man, Kearns takes masculinity head-on. He uses his experience to "see" gender in ways cis men cannot, making masculinity visible. Without arguing that masculinity should be done away with, or that there is no real difference between men and women, he bravely points toward a form of manhood built for the well-being of the world, and for people of all genders.
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org. or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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Community Training - Sponsored by Sequeerity
Sunday, 3/23 at 1pm
Twin Cities Pride Cultural Arts Center // 1201 Harmon Place #4.
This month Atlas Defense is coming in to share self defense tools and important info about knowing your rights. Additionally there will be some basic first aid training from EQUIP: Equity Quality Unity Inclusivity Progress.
Come be in community and build those skills, knowledge is a powerful thing and we're so excited to be able to bring together some amazing people with some incredible knowledge to share with you all. Hope to see ya there. If you have any questions, contact Cara Wright at cwright@hoplc.org./612-866-8471, ext. 3.
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Invitation to Worship & Appreciation Service
from HOP Rental Partner Southview SDA
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
We are truly grateful for the six years of partnership and fellowship we have shared in ministry. Your dedication and commitment to serving alongside us have been a tremendous blessing, and we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation.
It is with great joy that we invite you to join us for a special worship service on Saturday, April 5th at 11:00 am. This will be a time of thanksgiving and celebration as we honor the bond we have built in Christ and look forward to the continued work of His Kingdom together. We will have a potluck meal to follow the service.
We would be honored by your presence as we worship, pray, and reflect on the impact of our partnership over these years. Please let us know if you will be able to join us.
May God continue to bless and strengthen our ministries as we serve Him together.
In his service,
Pastor Sean Lee, Pastor Darnisha Thomas, and the Southview SDA Church Board.
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Wednesday Lenten Services
HOP and Woodlake will be sharing our Wednesday evenings in the season of Lent again. The last few years have been a great opportunity to get to know new and old friends, share a meal, and have a time of worship.
We’ll be gathering at Woodlake this year (2120 W 76th St, Richfield) for the Wednesdays in Lent. Contact Pastor Eric at 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org. with questions.
Lent 2: March 19
† 5:30pm. Chicken or Veggie Potato Soup, Caesar Salad, Turkey Pinwheels, Drop Biscuits, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
† 6:00pm. Worship Theme #Real Presence of Youth
† 6:30pm. Holden Evening Prayer
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org. or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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Lenten Supper Volunteers Needed
Our collaborative Lenten Suppers will be on Wednesday nights during Lent (starting March 12) at Woodlake. Each year we move between HOP and WL and both churches supply volunteers to serve. The dates that volunteers are still needed are March 26 and April 9 - 5:00-5:30 pm set up/prepare, 5:30-6:00 pm serve, 6:00-7 pm clean up. Our Lenten Soup Supper Coordinator Kirsten Hargreaves will show the volunteers what they need to do and will be there each week. Please contact the Woodlake Church Office at office@woodlakechurch.org / 612-266-8449 if you can help.
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Combined Choir Invitation & Schedule for the Lenten Season
As part of our special offerings during the upcoming season of Lent, all are invited to sing with the Combined Woodlake & HOP Choir. From 6:30 to 7:00 pm, we will lead the Lenten Holden Evening Prayer services in the Fellowship Hall at Woodlake, followed by rehearsals from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Woodlake Choir Loft or Choir Room. We will together prepare beautiful choral music for our Lenten services, strengthening the community we share through the meaningful experience of singing together.
WELCOME TO ALL! Our Combined Woodlake & HOP Handbell Choir will have an adjusted rehearsal schedule during Lent, meeting from 5:00 to 5:45 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Roselyn Hanson Weber, Director of Liturgical Worship at HOP/Interim Worship & Music Director at rhansonweber@hoplc.org., or 612-866-8471, ext. 7.
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Submit Funding Requests for
Upcoming Foundation Meeting
The HOP Foundation will meet on Monday, April 7th at 5:30pm to discuss business and review funding requests. As of December 31, 2024 the Foundation had total assets of $782,820.53. If you’d like to make a request, please email Jill Johnson (stemcoordinator@gmail.com) or Sandy Williams (srwllms70@hotmail.com) for a funding request form.
The HOP Foundation meets quarterly on the 1st Monday of the month at 5:30pm (January, April, July, October). Current board members are: Charlie Robbins, Jill Johnson, Sandy Williams, Steve Pierson, Julie Bonebrake, Kris Scharping, and Jill Larson.
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Pastor's Bible Study - March 18th
Join us on Tuesdays at 9:30 am for Bible study with Pastor Eric. The following are the verses for next week:
- Isaiah 55:1-9
- Psalm 63:1-8
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
- Luke 13:1-9
We will meet via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81815908947 Meeting ID: 818 1590 8947 Or, you may come to Pastor Eric’s office. Contact Pastor Eric with any comments, insights, or questions at 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org.
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RALY Wednesdays
RALY youth will be joining the adults at our Lenten Meal and Worship on Wednesday evenings from March 12 through April 9. We will meet at Woodlake at 5:30 pm for meals, to proceed with a short lesson and the Holden Evening Prayer. We will finish by 7:00 pm. As always, if you have any questions about RALY, contact Rachel Larson at rlarson@hoplc.org., or 612-409-7275
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Luther Park Danbury Summer Schedule
We are once again going to Luther Park in Danbury, WI - historically RALY attends Week 1, but youth can pick any week that works for them.
- Week 1: June 22-27 (Standard Cabin Camp, All-Skills Horse Camp, or full week Treehouse Camp)
- Week 3: July 13-18 (7-12 grade in Canoe Camp, not standard Cabin Camp!)
- Summer Celebration: July 19 (All ages, 10am-4pm for camp activities, worship, & fun!)
- Week 4: July 20-25 (Standard Cabin Camp or All-Skills Horse Camp)
More information can be found on Luther Park’s website. http://www.lutherpark.com/summer-camp-2025
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VBS
July 6-11; Grades Pre K-Grade 5
Must be potty-trained
RALY Vacation Bible School is happening again this summer (July 7-10th) hosted by Woodlake! We're excited to bring back Luther Park staff, Woodlake, and House of Prayer youth and adult volunteers to ensure a fun and faith filled week! All the info you need is below. If you have any questions, please contact RALY Director Rachel Larson (rlarson@hoplc.org). We hope you join us for a summer filled with faith activities expressed through songs, games, crafts, skits and more! Follow the link for more information and registration. (https://shorturl.at/6JSRs)
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Summer Stretch
July 6-11; Grades 6-8
Summer Stretch is an afternoon program focused on fun and fellowship! This was a blast two years ago and I am excited to bring it back. Possible activities include Urban Air, bowling, or swimming. There will be opportunities for High School leaders to join! In the meantime, contact Rachel Larson at rlarson@hoplc.org., or 612-409-7275.
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High School Summer Trip
July 25-August 3, finished grades 8-12
RALY is joining Diamond Lake for our high school trip this summer. We will be taking a road trip to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We will be working with Spark'Dwell, in a program that provides a week of relationship-building, education, story-telling, and service alongside formerly or currently homeless individuals. More information coming soon. In the meantime, you can check out their website at sparkdwell.org.
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50 Years of VEAP Book Alert! 📚
For over fifty years, VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) has been a steadfast presence for individuals and families in times of need. Now, longtime volunteer and author Doris Rubenstein brings to life the inspiring journey of this beloved organization in Fifty Years of VEAP. Through rich storytelling, Rubenstein offers an intimate look at the people, churches, and community supporters who played a pivotal role in shaping VEAP from its humble beginnings into the indispensable resource it is today.
Books are available for pre-order today and will arrive at VEAP the end of March! $15 per copy with all proceeds supporting our mission. To reserve yours, please click the link below and write “book” in the notes section.
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