Here's an update about what is happening at House of Prayer! | |
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Sunday's Worship
Light of the World
Heaven is Here
Love your Enemies? Do good to those who Hate you? My reward will be great in Heaven? I don’t want to wait that long!! It’s time we reframe our image of Heaven, not as a “some day destination when I die” but a “present reality in the here and now. Please contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org., or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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Coffeehouse Style
ReFuel Worship
February 16, 2025
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What is a Funeral Anyway? THIS SATURDAY
A funeral is many things all at once and there can be a lot of pressure to make all the right choices for our own or our loved ones’ funeral services. How do we choose the best hymns? the right scripture readings? the best readers and leaders for the service? BREATHE! And know that while there actually aren’t perfect funeral plans, some of these choices get easier if we spend some time thinking about what a funeral is and what we do through it.
Join folks from House of Prayer and Woodlake later this month for a half-day retreat that explores these questions. We’ll sing together, share a meal, and dig into what makes for a funeral that is faithful to the gospel and to the person who has died.
Saturday, February 22, 10am-2pm
Woodlake Lutheran Church (Fireside Room)
Please register so that we can be the best possible stewards of our finances and the food we order: https://tinyurl.com/ndd6jpkj.
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Personal Care Items for VEAP
We delivered 62 cans of soup, and 6 boxes of cereal from our January "Souper" campaign. Thank you to everyone who participated in this challenge.
For February, let's show our love by donating personal care items. These three items are needed to build Hygiene Kits, which we will do between services at 10:30 am on Sunday, March 9th.
- Toilet Paper
- Diapers (all sizes)
- Menstruation Products
In addition to funding we hope to get from Thrivent, financial support for this project is also needed. An anonymous HOP donor will match funds donated. Write "VEAP Kits" in the memo line of your check or in the notes section if donating online at https://hoplc.org/give. Our goal is to make 300 kits ($3,000). If you have any questions, contact Christine Barneson at cmillerdance@gmail.com.
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Mardi Gras – Transfiguration – Dixieland –Combined Worship
Come one, come all to House of Prayer on Sunday, March 2 at 10am for a shared worship service with singers and instrumentalists from Woodlake and House of Prayer celebrating Transfiguration Sunday with a festive Dixieland Jazz influence. We’ll weave the familiar elements of worship among the festive tunes and celebration of the Good News. Join us following worship to meet new friends and connect with familiar ones. If you have any questions about this service, contact Pastor Eric 612-866-8471, ext. 2/eluedtke@hoplc.org.
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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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Ash Wednesday / Lent - Real Presence
House of Prayer 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 on Wednesday, March 5th (2120 W 76th St, Richfield) for Ash Wednesday worship with the imposition of ashes (8:30am and 7pm) and for the Wednesdays in Lent. More information will follow about how we’ll engage this year’s theme “Real Presence” as we listen to one another’s stories about how Jesus is made real in the ways we serve in our churches. Contact Pastor Eric at 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org. with questions.
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Free Legal Advice Clinic
Friday, February 28, 2025, from 1-5:30 pm at Richfield Community Center.
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HOP Walkers - Indoor Walking Path at HOP & Fellowship
Too icy and cold to walk outside? Meet a friend and come walk the halls at HOP anytime between 10a-4p Monday-Thursday. Follow the "HOP WALKERS" signs to direct you on the walking path down the education hallway and around the Narthex. One lap equals 300 steps (approximately) - 3.5 laps about a half-mile and 7 laps about 1 mile. Feel free to make a cup of coffee with the Keurig coffee maker/pods in the staff kitchen and chat in the Narthex after your walk. All are welcome! Please spread the word! If you have questions about the HOP WALKERS, please contact the Church Office at 612-866-8471.
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Email/Text Scammers
Once again, we are receiving scam emails that appear to be from Pastor Korla, Pastor Eric, and LMT members. Please be aware that NO ONE from the church would EVER email a church member asking for secretive "favors," or to buy gift cards (other than the Walmart or Holiday gift cards to be specifically dropped off for the Friendship Fund). If you receive an email like this, please delete it immediately, and, if you question the validity of an email, contact the church for clarification, either at 612-866-8471, or office@hoplc.org. If you can, it's also helpful to report the email as a phishing scam to your email provider.
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Feed My Starving Children Collaborative Event Save the Date 3/1/25
Please consider joining us for this fun intergenerational opportunity to work together as one. On Saturday, March 1st, 2025, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. We will be coming together, folks from Woodlake and House of Prayer, to pack food at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan. It will be a fun afternoon to help others and make some new connections with our ministry partners.
We will meet at House of Prayer at 1:45pm to carpool to the FMSC facility in Eagan. Ages 5 years old and older are welcome. Any volunteer 8 years old or younger will require an adult partner. Please look for a sign up sheet at each church. You can contact Heidi Thomas at heidit1109@live..com or 612-865-1230 with any questions.
If you can’t join us that day but want to help in some way, consider donating to help cover the cost of the food and materials needed to accomplish this important work. You can donate directly to Feed My Starving Children at FMSC.org or in the offering plates labeled for FMCS and we will make sure the funds are received.
We look forward to seeing you on the 1st of March.
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Lenten Meal Serving Coordinator
We are looking for a meal coordinator for our Lenten Soup Suppers. Each week we will need volunteers to help set up, serve, and clean up from 4:45-6:30pm. We already have MICC culinary students helping prepare three of the Lenten Meals, and volunteers from RAFT, RALY, and HoP to help serve. Now all we need is a coordinator to help make things run smoothly. If you are interested or if your ministry group is interested in volunteering, please reach out to Pr. Micah Pearson, mpearson@woodlakechurch.org or call 612-866-8449.
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Ramadan Conversations
Ramadan is the month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset; in 2025 it falls between the dates of February 28 - March 30. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the “five pillars” of Islam, and is performed to learn compassion, self-restraint, and generosity.
Taking Heart Open Houses is a long-running program coordinated by the Minnesota Council of Churches and the Muslim American Society of Minnesota to bring Christians together with Muslims for food and conversation during Ramadan. Minnesota mosques and Islamic community centers welcome their non-Muslim neighbors for a traditional Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the fast. These events are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
Please visit mnchurches.org to learn more about Taking Heart and to sign up for one of these events. More events are added during the month so check back if you don't see one near you. If you have any questions, please contact the Rev. Cynthia Bronson Sweigert at revcbs11@gmail.com
This year Woodlake is offering a special opportunity to learn more about our Muslim neighbors. On Sunday March 9, John Emery from the Islamic Resource Group will speak about Islam and the Muslim experience in America. Please join us in the Fireside Room after the 9:00 a.m. service for this informative presentation.
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Pastor's Bible Study - February 25th
Join us on Tuesdays at 9:30 am for Bible study with Pastor Eric. The following are the verses for next week:
- Exodus 34:29-35
- Psalm 99
- 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
- Luke 9:28-36
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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Leipzig Partnership Conversation
Join the Minneapolis Area Synod Leipzig Partnership Team for a webinar about our partnership with the Leipzig District (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saxony).
This presentation will include time for Pastor Adam White and Pastor Eric Luedtke (pictured right) to share about their experience at the ELCA Wittenberg Center in November and reflections on our partnership with the church in Leipzig. During the presentation, we will also introduce Pastor Erik Haaland, Pastor Amber Ingalsbe, and Lora Dundek (the leaders for the renewed MAS/Leipzig Partnership team), hear the history of our partnership, and build energy to restart our work. All are welcome to join and learn more! Questions? Contact Pastor Eric at 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org.
Thursday, March 6 | 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
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Gift Cards for HOP Friendship Fund
We remain hopeful and confident that our work makes a great difference in the world around us. We are often visited by neighbors in need, and your gifts to the HOP Friendship Fund are passed along in hopes of sharing a warm meal or tank of gas in times of financial burden.
Please consider donating gift cards of $25 to Holiday or Walmart for our HOP Friendship Fund (bring cards to church office). You can also give online at https://hoplc.org/give (Operating fund with “Friendship” typed in the Note box), put a check in offering plate, or mail it to the church office. For questions, contact Cara Wright at cwright@hoplc.org / 612-866-8471.
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The Concordia Choir
The world-renowned Concordia Choir of Moorhead Minnesota, under the direction of Dr. Michael Culloton, will perform at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2 pm and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater on Saturday, March 15 at 2 pm. From the music of J.S. Bach to familiar hymn arrangements, the Concordia Choir will amaze you with their technical mastery and incredible sound. Visit ConcordiaTickets.com for tickets.
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RALY Wednesdays
Last night, RALY picked up our brushes and channeled our creativity during a watercolor painting night. Dinosaurs & daisies 🦖🌼, ships & sunsets ⛵🌅, crosses & critters ✝️🐶 ... we created it all! Next week, we meet at Woodlake for pizza and giant pictionary (wear running shoes)!
Contact Rachel Larson (rlarson@hoplc.org) or 612-409-7275 with questions.
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Snow Tubing Fun
Woodlake and House of Prayer's families and friends braved the freezing temperatures and cold wind to enjoy a day of snow tubing at Elm Creek Reserve! We loved linking up our tubes, racing solo, and warming up with cocoa, snacks, and personalized word finds inside. What a fun day! Thanks to everyone who bundled up and joined us! If you have any questions about this event, please contact Rachel Larson at rlarson@hoplc.org., or Wayne Schmieg at wschmieg@msn.com.
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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 or All-Skills Horse 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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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. Watch for information regarding VBS soon!
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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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Winter Grief Group
Thursdays, 1/2/2025-2/20/2025
Peace Lutheran Church
8600 East Bush Lake Rd.
Bloomington, MN 55438
952-944-6510
February 20 “Staying in Your Story” led by Annie Lumbar Bendson
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