Scripture Link:
Rejoice YouTube Channel
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In This Issue:
- Note from Pastor Jim
- Coffee & Treats
- Pork Chops & Games
- Donate to Synod
- Mow Lawn
- Fall Festival
- Community Events
- Community Prayers and Links
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Mark 4:26-34
26[Jesus] said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground,27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
We do not understand who Jesus is if we do not understand his mission: Ushering in the kingdom of God. In Mark 1:15 we read about the beginning of Jesus' public ministry with his statement, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near." He describes the kingdom like scattered seed and a mustard seed. It is fascinating that God takes ordinary stuff and turns it into extraordinary.
Starting this coming Sunday, we are focusing worship on proposed core values that mark our mission at Rejoice. Often churches create core values that do not reflect their vision and mission. That basically makes them worthless as organizing principles. I like to incorporate an organic element of the faith community by inviting input from its people. Some of you have already given us some input May 2 by completing an audit after worship. Taking that information, Council members spent several hours discussing related issues over the course of a retreat and two monthly meetings. We have an initial list of core values that we now want to invite you into the conversation again to ensure they fit us. So, each week we will allow time for discussion of one or two core values, and your input into them.
Without further ado, here they are: Courageous Service; Extravagant Hospitality; Passionate Worship; Joyful Generosity; Compassion; Meaningful Transformation. Admittedly, some of these values are on our wish list. We do not want more than six core values. If you see something that doesn't fit, or needs to be renamed, we would love to hear about it. By spending time each week unpacking these values understanding what they mean will be helpful to "trying them on for size."
This Sunday I will share the importance of core values in mission. In Jesus' mission and in ours, I am confident we will see the scattered seed and mustard seed come alive within us and beyond us.
We pray: Dear God, grow us into beautiful bounty for our family, friends and community that Rejoice is faithful to our core values. Amen.
Pastor Jim
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Coffee Fellowship
Coffee fellowship is an important part of our ministry at Rejoice. It is a great time for members to get acquainted, share with one another. We invite our visitors to join us for coffee fellowship so they can get to know us better.
Thank you to the volunteers and future hosts of Sunday fellowship for bringing and serving treats with us. Volunteer sign up is in Fellowship Hall.
In our busy lives, many of us have commitments that don’t allow us to provide treats for this ministry. There is a “free will” donation box when you pick up your treat. Please feel free to drop in a donation that will go toward the purchase of treats when we don’t have volunteers signed up to provide treats.
Thank you.
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Pork Chop Dinner/Kid’s Games/Raffle/Bean Bags
Rejoice will host a pork chop dinner and summer party following worship:
- Sunday, June 27
- 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- $10 per dinner
- Reservations appreciated
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please call the church office at 320-558-6851 or email rejoice@rejoicelutheranchurch.org
- Walk-ins welcome
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Opportunity to Make a Difference
One of our members has offered to match up to $1,000 in donations from our congregation to the Southwestern Minnesota Synod. This generous offer is to acknowledge the benefits we receive as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) from our greater church body.
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Start your Engines!
Did you know our beautiful church lawn is maintained by volunteers? You can join this outdoor loving team, who spends one designated morning a week cutting the grass. The lawn tractors, trimmers and gas are provided. So grab your sun hat and sun glasses, sign-up sheets will be posted in Celebration Hall. Young adults are welcome.
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2021 Lutefisk & Meatball Dinner and Fall Festival
Rejoice's famous Fall Festival will be held Saturday, September 25!
At this time we are seeking donations for both Raffle prizes and Silent Auction items. We are taking donations for Granny’s Attic. Gently used or new items may be a treasure to someone else. Household items, lamps and kitchen, etc., toys and toy sets, tools and garage stuff, holiday décor, jewelry, sporting goods, small furniture and whatever.
PLEASE no electronics or exercise equipment.
If you have questions, call the church office at 320.558-6851. Thank you for your support!
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Area Happenings
Garage Sale:
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Church of St. Luke
- 17545 Huber Ave NW, Clearwater
- Today, Friday - Saturday, June 11 - 12
- 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, June 13
- 9:00 a.m. - Noon
- Clothing for all ages, furniture, household goods, small appliances, toys, books, tools and lots more - something for everyone!
Friends of the Library Summer Kids Used Book Sale:
- Clearwater Area Library
- 740 Clearwater Center, Clearwater
- Friday, June 18
- 3-6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 19
- 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- All proceeds benefit the Clearwater Library
Vacation Bible School:
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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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Receiving Treatment for Cancer:
Wyatt Wesenberg (friends' son, Paul & Jane Nelson)
Rusty Cowles (Leigh Holman)
Kerry Erickson (brother, Linda Allen & Carol Eich)
Shari (friend, Amber Doering)
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)
Sami (friend, Lori Lanes)
Lucille (friend, Jim Lanes)
Kris (friend, Kari Line)
Lester Dupont (father, Linda Painter)
Kathy Ryan (sister, Brad Johnson)
*Pete Lidberg
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Others:
Trinity Grace & Peige Faith (Kent & Grace Asheim)
Katelyn Schwab (great niece, Lori Lanes)
Crissy Krohn (cousin’s wife, Mary Wilson)
*Hudson Hendricks
*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)
Marlene Vogel (mother, Joni Hagstrom)
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Active Duty:
Eli Mulqueen (son, Janet Moeller)
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(Open Position) Music Coordinator
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