Here's an update about what is happening at House of Prayer! | |
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Sunday's Worship
Light of the World
A Cross Section of our Roots
Trees have abundant root systems that provide nourishment, but we rarely see them with our own eyes, the roots are buried underground. Similarly, we don’t always think about our own rootedness and the foundations that create who we are and how we are formed. When we pause to examine our rootedness, where we’ve come from, do we find our trust in mere mortals or in the Lord? Please contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org., or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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Coffeehouse Style
ReFuel Worship
February 9,2025
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Luther Park Camp Day
This Sunday!
This Sunday, Leah Pletcher from Luther Park will be here to give us a temple talk about Summer Camp 2025. In between services, she will be available to answer questions, and she will have materials for those interested in going to camp, donating to the camp scholarship fund, or participating in Luther Park activities in other ways (i.e. plant sale, work week). In the meantime, if you have any questions, contact Rachel Larson at rlarson@hoplc.org, or Caity Wright at caitywright13@gmail.com.
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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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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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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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What is a Funeral Anyway?
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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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 18th
Join us on Tuesdays at 9:30 am for Bible study with Pastor Eric. The following are the verses for next week:
- Genesis 45:3-11, 15
- Psalm 37:1-11,39-40
- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
- Luke 6:27-38
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
(Check here for link when it becomes available.)
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Renew & Refresh: Women's Retreat 2025
“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart.” – Romans 10:8
Escape the busyness of life and join us for the second annual Renew & Refresh: Women's Retreat—a weekend of tranquility, worship, and growth. Reflect on the stories that shape us and explore the greatest story of all: God’s Word bringing life and salvation. Through scripture, worship, and fellowship, we’ll connect deeply with God and one another.
Dates: February 21–23, 2025
Details: Check-in by 5:00 PM, with dinner at 6:00 PM. Optional early arrival at 1:00 PM. Depart at 12:00 PM on Sunday. Activities include worship, crafts, guided sessions, meals, and free time. Price options available for commuting or overnight stays (starting at $146, scholarships available). Music will be led by someone familiar... Monica Livorsi! (Woodlake’s Modern Worship Director) and Andrea Griner will be the guest session leader. Come experience a weekend of renewal, connection, and inspiration! If interested, please contact Kristie Olson kclo239.2@gmail.com. She will be connecting with Caity Wright from House of Prayer to help organize interested participants.
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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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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
Everyone has questions, ranging from faith and the world, to ourselves. Last Wednesday, RALY provided a safe space to discuss some of our burning questions... with a twist! House of Prayer's Congregational President Caity Wright, Pastor Neal Cannon, Pastor Eric Luedtke, and RALY Director Rachel Larson needed to take a bite of a spicy wing then were asked the student's questions! The burning wings matched the burning questions such as what makes brownies so delicious, why do bad things happen, was the Earth created in 7 days, does Hell exist, and more. Thanks to our fearless youth for asking important questions and our brave panelists! 💥🌶️💥
Last night, we practiced showing love, and how can we show love? Bookshelves, valentines, and dancing! Last night, RALY built bookshelves for Bridging MN, helping people furnish their first homes. After, we created handmade Valentines for our families and friends, plus some Just Dance to finish off the night! Next week we will meet at House of Prayer for painting, music, and pizza!
Contact Rachel Larson (rlarson@hoplc.org) or 612-409-7275 with questions.
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Gather Twin Cities Monthly Gathering
Gather Twin Cities, an ELCA Young Adult Ministry will meet on Saturday, February 15th 7:00pm Worship and Meal will take place as Gather’s monthly gathering for February. More details to come, please contact Kristie Olson kclo239.2@gmail.com for more information or check out their Facebook or Instagram page @twincitiesgather.
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Family Event: Snow Tubing
Sunday, February 16, 2-4pm
Elm Creek Park Reserve
12400 James Deane Parkway
Maple Grove, 55369
Meet at Elm Creek Park and join friends from Woodlake for an afternoon of tubing, snacks and hot chocolate. The cost is FREE! Tickets will be distributed once you arrive at the park, and the snacks and hot chocolate will be provided in the Chalet. Children must be 4 years old and 36 inches tall (3 Ft.) in order to hit the hills. You will need to have your own transportation to and from, and we will be tubing for 2 hours. Sign up at the welcome desk over the next two Sundays.
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 13 “Understanding Grief” led by Mary Marcoux
February 20 “Staying in Your Story” led by Annie Lumbar Bendson
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