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THE HOPEFUL HOLY WEEK STORY
As we get closer to Easter, just a few short weeks away, we are also moving toward Holy Week and Good Friday. And I’ve always found it interesting that we call the week of Jesus death “holy,” and we call the Friday Jesus died “good.” My kids have already noticed the irony that we use such nice words for a week that is so sad.
And yet, as we get ready to hear the same stories told year after year, I always seem to notice that there is so much goodness in the stories of this holiest of weeks. On Palm Sunday, we get the shouts of “Hosanna” and children waving palm branches to welcome the God who comes to us in Jesus. And on Maundy Thursday, we watch as this same Holy One gets down on his hands and knees to wash the feet of his friends. At this same meal he takes bread and wine, and gives them new meaning, telling his disciples that these are his own body and blood that he is willing to give away to let them know whatever happens they are still love and forgiven, and they are not alone.
On Good Friday, the story continues with the sadness of Jesus’ betrayal and death. But even here we find little glimpses of God’s goodness. Jesus pronounces forgiveness to those who “know not what they do,” even while hanging on the cross. And he continues from that same cross to bring people hope, telling his beloved disciple that he belongs to his own mother, and she to him so that they can care for each other, and telling a criminal hung on a cross with him, “today you will be with me in paradise.” Even after Jesus’ death, something amazing happens, as a skeptical Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to pay his respects and give Jesus a proper burial, and he proceeds to pour 100 pounds of perfume and spices on his body in an act of extravagant devotion. Can you imagine the smell of that much perfume or what it must have cost Nicodemus to buy it?
To be sure, it isn’t all roses. We need to take seriously the sadness of the betrayal, the denial, the mocking, the pain, the suffering, and the death that Jesus went through. But we also can be reminded the reason that Jesus was willing to go through it all. He did it so that we could be reminded that there is no place so dark, no pain so bad, no depth we could go through in our lives that Jesus will not come along with us, so that we can know whatever we go through, we are not alone.
Even more than that, we know that death and sadness are not the end of the story… but on Easter morning, Jesus reminds us that death cannot have the last word. Rather, God’s life wins, and God’s love wins, and God’s hope wins for you and for me. And I’d say that’s a story worth reading all the way to the end, a good story that’s worth hearing again and again.
We look forward to having you join us for Holy Week again this year, so we can share in this good and holy story together.
-Pastor Dane
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We are continuing our exploration of familiar stories from the Gospels each week of Lent...join us!
March 3 & March 6
When We’re Too Hurt—Luke 5:17-26
Sometimes the only thing worse than being hurt or sick is watching a loved one who is hurt or sick. Who can we turn to in times that healing is needed? Whether it is us, or someone we know who needs help, Jesus shows up in these moments with healing for every aspect of our lives.
March 10 (Holden) & March 13 (Holden)
When Life’s Too Much—John 11:33-44
Death often brings out the deepest grief and sorrow that we will ever experience. We don’t know what to do, we don’t know what to say. But Jesus does. When we are tied down by hopelessness, Jesus sets us free and reminds us that life always wins.
March 17 & March 20
When We’re Too Anxious—Mark 4:34-39
Everyone worries about something, but sometimes, that anxiety we feel can become larger than life. When the storms of life terrify us and it seems that we are left alone to worry, Jesus is still there. The care that Jesus gives us can bring peace to any situation and calm any distress.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL
MARCH 8, 9 & 10TH
This year’s Willmar Middle School musical is “High School Musical”...and you won’t want to miss it! This show, once again, includes some Vinje members...and they promise us it’s sure to be a fun one! Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased here.
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YOUTH MISSION TRIPS
Information about the youth mission trips to St. Louis and Nebraska can be found on the website! Parents, please talk with your kids about this fun opportunity! Contact Pastor Justin with questions.
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LET’S GO FISHING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Do you enjoy a day on the lake? If so, please consider being a volunteer with Let’s Go Fishing! This organization provides pontoon outings for area seniors, youth and other groups. Trips happen Mondays-Thursdays in the summer (or who knows, maybe they’ll be starting this if this weather keeps up!). You can choose morning or afternoon trips, fishing or boating and you can volunteer as a driver or as a “first mate.” If you’d like to volunteer or have questions, please call Rick Loseth at 320-979-9231 or Ron Haugen at 936-707-9023.
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VINJE QUILTERS
Quilters will this month on March 14 and March 21 at 9am! All are welcome!
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West Central Minnesota is experiencing a major childcare shortage and while we are happy to have three great centers that are providing care for many wonderful children, we wish we could be doing more. We currently have the classroom space to care for more children, but we do not have the staff! If you know of anyone that is great with children and might be looking for full or part time work, please have them email Patsy at [email protected]. We offer competitive wages, benefits, flexible scheduling and have openings at Praise & Play in Spicer, Discovery Hill on the MinnWest Campus and right here at Loving Arms. | | |
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PLASTIC RECYCLING UPDATE!
Thank you for embracing the plastic recycling program. We reached our first 500 pounds in December, but now it takes 1000 pounds to get a bench. We are nearing 900 pounds of plastic collected! We are almost there! Please remember to check the poster above the recycling boxes for acceptable items, and share with those you know outside our congregation that are helping us keep these plastics out of the landfill. Remember, if it’s crinkly and glossy, it most likely isn’t acceptable. There cannot be any food residue, so make sure it’s clean and dry. Many acceptable plastic bags have a symbol and #4. Some will have a line through the recycle symbol to let you know it needs to go in the trash. NO FROZEN FOOD OR CANDY BAGS. Stay tuned to learn when we have reached our goal.
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At their February 26 meeting the Vinje Council:
- Approved a motion to move forward with "Vinje at the Lake" worship services at Green Lake Bible Camp for Wednesday nights from June 5-August 7.
- Approved a motion to contract with Tim Burns to work with pastors to create 10 podcasts for use within and outside the congregation.
- Approved a motion to instruct staff to continue a worship plan that includes 60-65% of Sundays to include traditional hymns played on the organ or piano, and the remaining 35-40% of Sundays and the entirety of Wednesdays to include modern praise and worship music led by a worship team or individual. This will be the case for the foreseeable future.
- Approved a motion to give a one-time gift of $20,000 from dedicated funds to Loving Arms to help with a shortfall due to staffing issues.
- Council is creating a Vinje council email address where people can reach out with questions or concerns.
- Elected council officers for our Executive Committee for the next year: Lynn Stier - President, Ben Saunders - Vice President, Nicole Mages - Secretary, Steve Tammen - At-large member, and Brianna Bredeson - Treasurer (continuing a two-year term).
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EXPLORING VINJE'S HISTORY
This month pastor Andrés talks about unique Welcome to Willmar Sign he learned about reading an old newspaper clipping he received from the family of Helen Langager.
After her death, I received a box from Helen Langager’s family labeled “Vinje.” It contains newspaper clippings from important events in Vinje’s history, the bulletins for the events when they were celebrated with special worship services, publications made on special anniversaries, etc. Inspiration for several of these monthly columns!
The first piece that caught my attention was a clipping from The Minneapolis Star from May 7, 1963, written by the Lutheran journalist Willmar Thorkelson. This journalist reported religion news for The Minneapolis Star from 1944 until the newspaper merged with the Minneapolis Tribune in 1982.
The headline reads, “Willmar is proud of its 4 new churches,” and it contains pictures and comments about Vinje, Calvary, Bethel, and Redeemer. And what I found very interesting was the photo (below) of the “Welcome to Willmar” sign listing the four churches. The sign was posted on Highway 71, outside Willmar, and the article says that there were similar signs on all roads leading to Willmar.
Kandiyohi County Historical Society deputy director, Bob Larson was unable to find any other details on the sign, but he did remember seeing the sign as a teenager, when he would come to town with his parents from Atwater on Highway 12.
The Minneapolis Star article was dates about one month after Vinje had dedicated our new church, on Palm Sunday on April 7, 1963, and only a few weeks before Redeemer Lutheran Church dedicated their new church on 6th St SW, that they had been occupying since Christmas Eve of the previous year. Before moving into the new locations, Vinje had worshiped in its downtown church at the corner of 5th St and Becker Ave, and Redeemer had been worshipping in what an article in the West Central Daily Tribune from May 17, 1963, defined as “the cramped, crowded basement quarters” on 3rd St and West Trott.
Bob Larson and I speculated that the welcome signs may have been put up in 1963 precisely because of these two church dedications. I have reached out to the City of Willmar in hopes of unearthing an old sign or at least more information about them. If you happen to remember these signs, have pictures with them, or have any other information about them, please let me know.
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Make a one-time contribution or set up reoccurring giving here. Need help? Call the church office!
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VINJE ON THE GO!
RADIO Listen on Sundays at 9:30 am on KWLM, 1340 AM.
INTERNET Watch anytime! (go to YouTube and search Vinje Willmar).
TV Watch local access channel, 180 Sundays at 2:30 pm and 8:30 pm and Tuesdays at 8 am and 5 pm.
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