MN Interfaith Power and Light

Earth Day is April 22, so it is fitting that our Mission of the Month for April is MN Interfaith Power and Light. MNIPL works in partnership with faith and spiritual communities and all Minnesotans to build transformative Power and bring the Lights of peoples unique gifts to addressing the climate crisis. Our congregation has benefited from some of the workshops MNIPL has provided and we hope to address climate justice in the future. Please take time to learn about this important organization and give via your monthly mission envelope.

Hymn of the Day for Easter 2 - April 7, 2024

“O Sons and Daughters” ELW 386

Today, we have the gospel of John 20: 19-31. It is after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The disciples have locked themselves into a house in fear. In spite of closed and locked doors, Jesus comes to them and greets them with, “Peace be with you.” They recognize him and he greets them again in the same manner and “breathes” on them bestowing the Holy Spirit upon them. The key character of the story, Thomas, is not among them for this episode, but, of course, the others tell him what happened. Thomas doubts their story, and says, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe”. Thus Thomas earns his nickname for eternity, “Doubting-Thomas”. The story goes on to tell of a similar episode about a week later where Jesus comes to them through locked doors and allows Thomas to do those things so that he will believe. Thomas’ response is “My Lord, and my God!” Jesus admonishes him a bit saying, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Today, we sing, “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing”. This hymn recounts the story of “doubting-Thomas” in stanzas 4 through 8. Stanzas 1-3 are all about resurrection. Stanza 4 tells of the apostles meeting in fear, and Jesus appearing to them. Stanza 5 is about Thomas doubting what the apostles were telling him about the risen Lord. In stanza 6, Jesus invites Thomas to see his wounded hands and pierced side and believe. In stanza 7, Thomas proclaims his belief that this is indeed Jesus. Stanza 8 is Jesus blessing all those (unlike Thomas) who believe withOUT seeing. Stanza 9 is simply a doxology of praise to give us all a statement of belief.

This was originally a Latin hymn from somewhere between 1518 and 1536. In stanzas 1-3, as if voicing our own statement of belief in Jesus’ resurrection we recount that story, then in stanzas 4-8, we sing of the story of Thomas. The tune is “O FILII ET FILIAE” (literally, O Sons and Daughters, in Latin). This tune’s origins may be a 15th century French folk melody, or a chant melody. It was first found in print in 1623, obviously, the match of tune and hymn-text is intentional.

Peace!

Deacon Gary Butler

Please come to a Spaghetti Supper!

Home-made spaghetti sauce, spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, and dessert! Gluten free pasta will be available.

Wednesday, April 17

5:00 – 7:00

Fellowship Hall

Free Will Offering: Proceeds will support our youth who are attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering.

Dine in and enjoy the company of our church community, or take-out orders will be available, so you can have your spaghetti at home. Let us do the cooking for you!

Youth Arts Showcase is Coming Up!

Our annual Youth Arts Showcase is coming up on Sunday, April 21 during the education hour. All youth are invited to share their gifts and talents with us: sing a song, play your instrument, display your art work, read your poetry, dance, whatever talents you want to share!  

This is another one of our youth fundraisers to raise money for youth summer camperships and Lutheran Summer Music. We hope you will join us immediately after worship on Sunday, April 21 and give generously!  

Youth can sign up for the event on Sign Up Genius. Please sign up by Sunday, April 14. Email Rachel Wright at rachelwright72@gmail.com with any questions.

Irish Pancake Fundraiser for Emmet D Williams School

LCR will hold a pancake fundraiser (free will offering) to benefit the Emmet D. Williams school in the Fellowship Hall at LCR on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 - noon. The breakfast will feature Irish pancakes, bangers (sausages), home-produced maple syrup, and Irish coffee (non-alcoholic). The event will include Irish music. Volunteers are welcome to join the effort - speak with Phil Peterson.

Communion Class on April 28 

Children ages 4 - 9 (preschool - 3rd grade) are invited to learn about communion with Pastor Sarah on Sunday, April 28th from 11:30-1:00.

Whether your child has never taken communion or has been taking communion for a long time, whether they have attended a communion class before or not, this is an opportunity to learn about the Lutheran understanding of communion in age-appropriate ways.

We will:

• Receive a personalized book about communion (If your child has already received A Place For You, please bring it with you)
• Bake communion bread
• Practice taking communion
• Learn about the first communion with Jesus
• Find out what "eucharist" means

Click this link to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACAF29ABFBCE9-48865967-communion

Each child should plan to bring a grown-up with them (one grown-up per family group is fine). Older and younger siblings are also welcomed to attend the class, and/or eat lunch with us.

Como Park Mission Auction

Please support our partners in Guatemala and at Como Park Lutheran by attending Como Parks Mission Auction on Saturday, April 20, 5:30 - 8:00 PM.

Catering by Dick's BBQ - Tickets are $20/adult, $10 for kids 12 and under, $60 cap (you can purchase tickets by clicking the link and then checking the Mission Auction selection. CLICK THIS LINK to purchase tickets. You can also contact Nancy Nelson by April 18 and let her know you’d like to attend.  

David & Gloria Anderson 50th Anniversary Party

The Resurrection community is invited to attend the celebration of David & Gloria Anderson's 50th wedding anniversary in the LCR Fellowship Hall on Saturday, May 4 from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Click on the invitation for more information and to RSVP.

Sign Up for Every Meal Distribution Slots

Open slots for Every Meal helpers exist for the coming weeks. Please consider signing up to help with this project to address the needs of those living with food insecurity by packing meals for distribution. The sign-up slots are most often on Fridays, with a few weeks adjusted for holidays and school breaks. The site for signing up to help with packing meals is available at THIS LINK.

VBS Registration has begun!

Vacation Bible School registration has begun for summer 2024 and we hope that your kids will sign up and invite their friends. The week is Sunday, July 28 (1:00 to 4:00 pm) through Thursday, Aug. 1 (9 am to noon). Students age 4 through grade 6 (completed) are encouraged to register, and we are always looking for teen counselors- anyone who has completed grades 7-12! This year's musical is "Are We There Yet?", the story of Moses and the Israelites. The performance is Thursday, July 27 at 7:00 pm. Register online at 2024 VBS REGISTRATION

We hope your children can attend. It’s always a great week!

Questions? Please contact Rachel Wright rachelwright72@gmail.com

or Sue Hendrickson suehendrickson24@gmail.com