Rejoice Name & Logo
Scripture Link:

Rejoice YouTube Channel
In This Issue:
  • Message from Pastor Jim
  • Lent Announcements
  • Community Prayers and Links
Our first Wednesday evening worship went well. I want to thank our Tech Team for continuing to improve the streaming quality. If you haven't viewed our worship streaming recently, please check it out and join us live for worship when you can. There is always the recording for you to come to if you are unable to join us live.

Our Wednesday evening book discussion at 7:30 pm has been well-attended and quite informative. It is a great feeling to listen to others like ourselves, who have not been aware of the struggles our Black and Brown brothers and sisters are experiencing in the very white state of Minnesota. We read two chapters per week from A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnestoa. None of the chapters are pre-requirements for the following chapters, so please join us when you can. You can find the Zoom link on the homepage of our website.

On Sunday March 7, 10:15 am, we will host a fellowship time on Zoom. You can also find the Zoom link on the homepage of Rejoice's website. Don't forget to bring your coffee, tea, and a donut!!! We look forward to seeing one another and connecting. Our council is now in discussions about returning to our new normal of safer in-person gatherings. Look for more information about Easter Sunday, April 4.

#ExcelLENTSee
Mark 8:31-38
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

This coming Sunday we are challenged to see beyond all appearances of a faith for self-fulfillment. Instead, faith in Jesus finds its fulfillment when it is connected to brokenness and self-sacrifice. Not exactly a good PR strategy to sell stuff. Can we see and embrace the truth of what Jesus teaches us? That those who want to save their life will lose it? That those who lose their life for Jesus' mission will save it? One of our challenges to grow during Lent is to become more open for working on behalf of Jesus' mission to the broken-hearted, the oppressed, the excluded, and all who feel spiritually lost. I am convinced we cannot participate with Jesus if we are unwilling to open ourselves to the pain of the other. I am also convinced that as we learn to open to such pain, we also find more and more spiritual fulfillment. May God make it so with us!

We pray: Open the eyes of our heart, O God, to see your love and desires for us, and especially those in need, that we view your leading us into their hearts and lives with the new life you offer us all. Make us instruments of your healing and peace. Amen.

Pastor Jim
Lent at Rejoice

Youth play an integral part in Lent at Rejoice. Join us each Wednesday.
  • Worship at 6:30 p.m.
  • Meet with mentor and small groups immediately after worship
  • COVID-19 guidelines will be followed
Adult Book Discussions via Zoom on Wednesday Nights
Susan Chwalek, Linnea Lindquist and Pastor Jim will facilitate weekly discussions on what it’s like for a person of color in Minnesota based on the book “A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota” by Sun Yung Shin. We will discuss two chapters each week.
Backpack Program

Rejoice provides a backpack of nutritious, nonperishable, kid-friendly food to children who are at risk of going hungry during weekends. Please refer to the list of suggested food items in the March newsletter and bring your donations to feed and care for children in our community. 
Lenten Fish

Drive up for your Friday night fish take-out supper.
  • Church of St. Luke
  • 17545 Huber Ave NW, Clearwater
  • March 5 & 19
  • 5-7:30 p.m.
  • Adults - $10 each
  • Children - $5 each
New Leadership

Rejoice Council leaders were elected at the annual meeting. They are:
Community Prayers
If you have a loved one or friend in need of prayer, fill out a prayer request or use one of the prayer concern requests located on the Interest table and in the sanctuary welcome pads. The star(*) in front of a name denotes a Rejoice member. This is a dynamic list. Requests will be printed for up to four weeks; call the church office at 320.558.6851 to extend listing. If a name of a friend or loved one has been omitted please resubmit the name and/or concern using one of the prayer concern forms found in the red Welcome Pads in the worship area. 
Receiving Treatment for Cancer:
Kelly (cousin, Pam Bender)
Steven Ray (cousin’s husband, Darlene & Duane Johnson)
Mark Grommash (friend, Kari Line)
Julie Lovig (friend, Kirk Suchomel)
Mary Swanson (friend, Lori Lanes)
*Pam Bump
Sami (friend, Lori Lanes)
Lucille (friend, Jim Lanes)
Doug Nieters (friend, Ryan Pridgeon)
Kris (friend, Kari Line)
*Kent Asheim
Lester Dupont (father, Linda Painter)
Kathy Ryan (sister, Brad Johnson)
*Pete Lidberg
Others:
*Tom Allen
Frank Mason (friend, Karolyn Boucher)
*Martha Johnson
Kathie (friend, Lori Lanes)
Theresa Klicker (daughter, Brad & Martha Johnson)
Aaron (friend, Kari Line)
Doug Lindseth (friend, Linnea Lindquist)
Lucas Barrett (grandson, Mike Barrett)
Nick Eldred (friend, Ryan Pridgeon)
Ken Johnson (brother, Brad Johnson)
*Charlie Johnson
Brian (nephew, Scott & Doris Scharmer)
Linda O’Dell-Cowles (family friend, Leigh Holman)
Kent Petersen (brother, Rhoda Senkler)
MJ Havlicek (friend, Lori Lanes)
Nancy Nicoloff (friend, Lori Lanes)
Ron Dettman (friend, Linda Agre)
Marlene Vogel (mother, Joni Hagstrom)
Ron Wolfbauer (nephew, Carolyn & Ron Stensby)
Rejoice Staff
Jim Bump Lead Pastor
Carol Eich Office Administrator
Nicole Heberling Music Coordinator
Mary Bergeron Office Assistant
Rejoice Name & Logo