Scripture Link:
Rejoice YouTube Channel
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In This Issue:
- Note from Pastor Jim
- Wear Your Mask
- Searching for Pianist
- Spring Cleaning at Rejoice
- Book Discussion Recap
- Graduation Recognition
- In-Person Activities
- Fall Festival
- Community Prayers and Links
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Luke 24:36b-49
Luke 24:36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. 44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
A few themes jump out at me immediately that speak to us and the events of our time. 1) Jesus gifts peace. In a world that is seemingly totally out of control in violence, hatred, and a pandemic, we need peace- which is not the absence of war but a sense of wholeness while the fire burns around us. 2) An emphasis in this resurrection story on the physical and material presence of Jesus gets me wondering how the early minds must have struggled to believe in the physical nature of Jesus' resurrection. It also speaks to this past year of isolation from one another, and the virtual nature much of our congregation has had to take on. No matter how isolated one is, Jesus is still a physical presence in Holy Communion and our Baptisms. 3) Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures. God doesn't change but the way we think about God does. Gosh, that has been so true in my own spiritual experience. Are we willing to let Jesus open our minds to think new about God? Can we allow imagination and wonder a place in our hearts and minds? 4) You are witnesses of these things. That you is plural meant to include you and me. What are we going to do with being Jesus' witness?
I look forward to allowing this passage to work on me and open my minds to a greater appreciation of the infinite God, and to see what affect it has on you!
We pray: Majestic, Mysterious, Infinite and Finite One, fill the voids in our lives, relationships, and in our hearts and minds with your presence that heals and offers a greater sense of peace. Make us your witnesses whose lives use actions to tell your story of love, redemption, and resurrection. Amen.
Pastor Jim
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The Virus Stops Here
As we begin to gather with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, we want to remind everyone to cover their nose, mouth and chin with a face mask unless they are eating or drinking.
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Worship Music Leader-Accompanist Position-Clearwater
Rejoice Lutheran Church in Clearwater, MN is looking for persons interested in accompanying on piano in leading congregational singing for our Sunday 9:30 a.m. worship service. Leading vocally along with piano/guitar is an additional benefit, but not required. Person will be responsible for ensuring quality music leadership for worship under the guidance of the pastor. This position could be 2 Sundays a month or as much as your schedule allows. Music may be traditional or contemporary. Paid per service. Interested applicants should fill out job application on Rejoice’s website.
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Total Church Care, Top to Bottom
Make an appointment on your calendar for Saturday, May 1 to help clean Rejoice. A clean church home will feel welcome and healthy!
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What was learned in our recent book discussions?
For the past 9 weeks, over 20 Rejoice members participated in Zoom discussions of the book A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota. So, how did it go? What are participants saying?
“The book was excellent in that it was true stories of individuals in Minnesota that were affected by racism.”
Laurie Hoff
“My heart breaks how normal everyday activities such as shopping, college education, jobs, housing and recreation can become so hurtful to our neighbors who are non-white. I cannot imagine telling my child or grandchild that they have to avoid certain locations, times of day/night, etc., because the color of their skin makes them ‘suspicious’”.
Audrey Lidberg
“My eyes are now open to see and hear a new perspective from a person of color's eyes and ears. Do I understand? NO!! But I am now willing to listen and learn about a new view.”
Becky Brzinski
“I learned that I belong to a caring, kind, and considerate church.”
Wendy Sturm
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Graduation Recognition
We'll celebrate an important milestone with graduates on Sunday, May 23.
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Returning to Normal
Some of our favorite weekday activities will resume in-person!
- Hatha Yoga
- Led by Shalynn Reid
- Fees:
- $10 per class or $32 per month
- Senior discount $9 per class or $25 per month
- Wednesdays
- 9:00 a.m.
- Rejoice Celebration Hall
- Stitch & Pray
- Crochet or knit prayer shawls
- Wednesdays
- 1:00 p.m.
- Rejoice Education Wing
- Women's Bible Study
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Taken from ELCA Gather magazine
- Monthly on 3rd Tuesdays, beginning April 20
- 10:00 a.m.
- Rejoice Education Wing
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Save the Date
Rejoice Fall Festival will be held Saturday, September 25!
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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.
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We Lift Up:
Ron & Carolyn Stensby in the loss of friend, Laurel Anderson
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Receiving Treatment for Cancer:
Joyce, Laurie, & Stephanie (friends, Scott & Doris Scharmer)
Eric Westland (cousin, Ray & Mary Wilson)
Jim Hartle (friend, Lori Lanes)
Kelly (cousin, Pam Bender)
Steven Ray (cousin’s husband, Darlene & Duane Johnson)
Julie Lovig (friend, Kirk Suchomel)
Mary Swanson (friend, Lori Lanes)
*Pam Bump
Sami (friend, Lori Lanes)
Lucille (friend, Jim Lanes)
Kris (friend, Kari Line)
*Kent Asheim
Lester Dupont (father, Linda Painter)
Kathy Ryan (sister, Brad Johnson)
*Pete Lidberg
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Others:
Duncan Whyte (brother-in-law, Wally & Mary)
*Jerry Jagadzinski
*Hudson Hendricks
*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)
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)
Marlene Vogel (mother, Joni Hagstrom)
Ron Wolfbauer (nephew, Carolyn & Ron Stensby)
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