Here's an update about what is happening at House of Prayer! | | |
Sunday Worship
Real Presence - Prodigal God
A prodigal is one who gives on a lavish scale, and no one gives on a great scale than God. The way we live our lives becomes our thank you for this great generosity. If you have any questions about worship, contact Pastor Eric 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org.
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ReFuel Coffeehouse
Style Worship
March 23, 2025
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Synod Assembly Delegates Needed
Each year our Minneapolis Area Synod gathers in Assembly. It is a chance for delegates from each of our 134 congregations to come together with the rostered leaders to hear about the wider work of the ELCA and partner organizations and to work together to give guidance to how our churches share God’s love in the world. House of Prayer is allotted 2 lay voting delegates to be part of this work. If you are able to serve in this way for the Synod Assembly which meets the evening of May 2 and during the day May 3, reach out to Pastor Korla or Pastor Eric.
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org. or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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A Message from the LGBT Bishops in the ELCA
Bishops from several synods across the ELCA want those who are feeling marginalized in these days to know that they are seen.
The video includes messages from Bishop Nathan Pipho (New England Synod), Bishop Bryan Penman (Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod), Bishop Jeff Johnson (Sierra Pacific Synod), Bishop Kevin Strickland (Southeastern Synod), Bishop Brenda Bos (Southwest California Synod), and Bishop Jen Nagel (Minneapolis Area Synod).
The bishops emphasize the message, "No one can erase you. We see you." If you have any questions regarding the video, contact Pastor Eric (eluedtke@hoplc.org., 612-866-8471, ext. 2), or Pastor Korla (kmasters@hoplc.org., 612-866-8471, ext. 5).
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Easter Festival Choir Invitation
The Adult Choir extends a special EASTER FESTIVAL CHOIR Invitation to anyone who would like to join us for our 9:30 Liturgical Easter Service at House of Prayer.
All are encouraged to join the Easter Festival Choir rehearsal on Wednesday 4/16, 7-8:30 p.m. Come and add your voice to the festive tones of the choir, organ and brass as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday morning, April 20th WELCOME ALL!
For questions, please contact Roselyn Hanson Weber, Director of Liturgical Worship at rhansonweber@hoplc.org
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Easter Garden and
Special Offerings
Consider a special gift to HOP this Easter by sponsoring a flower for HOP’s Easter Garden or making a special Easter donation to the HOP General Operating Fund or Facilities Fund.
Sponsorship forms will be available on Sunday mornings throughout Lent. You can also give online at hoplc.org/give. Dedications received by Sunday, April 13, will be included in the Easter bulletin.
For questions, contact Cara Wright at cwright@hople.org / 612-866-8471 ext. 3.
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Call for Candy!
Spring is in the air, Easter is nearly here! Help us fill Easter Eggs with candy for the annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Woodlake. Please bring bags of small, individually wrapped candies to Rachel’s office at Woodlake or House of Prayer. Donations will be accepted through April 9th!
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Easter Egg Hunt
Join us at 10:30 am between worship services on Easter morning (Sunday, April 20) for an Easter Egg Hunt at House of Prayer!
Both Woodlake and HOP will be having Easter Egg Hunts for the kids, both from our churches and in the community. Thanks to RALY for helping stuff the eggs and hide them. We have a large area in the back of the church to hide eggs. This event is always well attended and enjoyed by all. This is a FREE event so invite your friends and neighbors to come!
For more information about Children, Youth & Family Ministry at HOP, please reach out to Andry Jurcich (andryj@invisik.com) and Kristi Liu kline010@umn.edu).
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Wednesday Lenten Services
HOP and Woodlake are sharing our Wednesday evenings during the season of Lent again. The last few years have been a great opportunity to get to know new and old friends, share a meal, and have a time of worship.
We are gathering at Woodlake this year (2120 W 76th St, Richfield) on Wednesdays during Lent. Contact Pastor Eric at 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org. with questions.
Lent 4: April 2
† 5:30pm. Vegetable tortilla soup, slider sandwiches, ham , turkey, roast beef, cookies
† 6:00pm. Worship Theme #Real Presence of Instrumental Music
† 6:30pm. Holden Evening Prayer
Last night was Lent Week 3, and the #Real Presence topic was Handbells. First, the graced us with their beautiful music. and then 2 members answered questions about how music/playing handbells helps them to connect with the Lord, and how music helps in their lives. Many times, the bible verses are sewn right into a song, and that song plays at just the time you needed to hear it. Music is a gift from God, and using it to glorify God is a gift to the musician, and everyone else who hears their offering. Next week, we will be #Real Presence of Care Ministry.
If you have any questions about the Lenten services, please seek out Pastor Eric (eluedtke@hoplc.org), Pastor Micah (mpearson@woodlakechurch.org) or Pastor Neal (ncannon@woodlakechurch.org.)
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Lenten and Easter Worship at House of Prayer
Lenten Wednesdays (Woodlake) 5:30 pm Meal, 6:00 pm Worship Theme, 6:30 pm Holden Prayer
Maundy Thursday (HOP) April 17, 7:00 pm
Good Friday (Woodlake) April 18, 7:00 pm
Easter Sunday (HOP) April 20, 9:30 and 11:00 am
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Speaker about End-of-Life
(Death) Doulas at Matins on
April 9 at 9:30 am in the
Fireside Room
The continuing education for the visitation ministers will be done in collaboration with Matins. The speaker from tendingthespirit.care.com is an end-of-life (death) doula. She will talk about how death doulas facilitate conversations around making end of life plans and assist in fulfilling those plans. Please join Matins and the visitation ministers continuing education on April 9th for:
• Service at 8:30 am in Chapel
• Coffee & Treats at 9:00 am in Fireside Room
• Speaker at 9:30 am in Fireside Room
We hope to see you there! Everyone is welcome. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Susan Kelly (visitation minister at Woodlake) at sdkelly4@icloud.com.
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Submit Funding Requests for
Upcoming Foundation Meeting
The HOP Foundation will meet on Monday, April 7th at 5:30pm to discuss business and review funding requests. As of December 31, 2024 the Foundation had total assets of $782,820.53. If you’d like to make a request, please email Jill Johnson (stemcoordinator@gmail.com) or Sandy Williams (srwllms70@hotmail.com) for a funding request form.
The HOP Foundation meets quarterly on the 1st Monday of the month at 5:30pm (January, April, July, October). Current board members are: Charlie Robbins, Jill Johnson, Jon Kietzer, Sandy Williams, Steve Pierson, Julie Bonebrake, Kris Scharping, and Jill Larson.
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Pastor's Bible Study - April 1
Join us on Tuesdays at 9:30 am for Bible study with Pastor Eric. The following are the verses for next week:
- Isaiah 43:16-21
- Psalm 126
- Philippians 3:4b-14
- John 12:1-8
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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RALY Wednesdays
RALY youth will be joining the adults at our Lenten Meal and Worship on Wednesday evenings from March 12 through April 9. We will meet at Woodlake at 5:30 pm for meals, to proceed with a short lesson and the Holden Evening Prayer. We will finish by 7:00 pm. As always, if you have any questions about RALY, contact Rachel Larson at rlarson@hoplc.org., or 612-409-7275
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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, All-Skills Horse Camp, or full week Treehouse 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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VBS
July 6-11; Grades K-Grade 6 (Fall 2025)
RALY Vacation Bible School is happening again this summer (July 7-10th) hosted by Woodlake! We're excited to bring back Luther Park staff, Woodlake, and House of Prayer youth and adult volunteers to ensure a fun and faith filled week! All the info you need is below. If you have any questions, please contact RALY Director Rachel Larson (rlarson@hoplc.org). We hope you join us for a summer filled with faith activities expressed through songs, games, crafts, skits and more! Follow the link for more information and registration. (https://shorturl.at/6JSRs)
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Summer Stretch
July 6-11; Grades 7-9 (Fall 2025)
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.
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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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50 Years of VEAP Book Alert! 📚
For over fifty years, VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) has been a steadfast presence for individuals and families in times of need. Now, longtime volunteer and author Doris Rubenstein brings to life the inspiring journey of this beloved organization in Fifty Years of VEAP. Through rich storytelling, Rubenstein offers an intimate look at the people, churches, and community supporters who played a pivotal role in shaping VEAP from its humble beginnings into the indispensable resource it is today.
Books are available for pre-order today and will arrive at VEAP the end of March! $15 per copy with all proceeds supporting our mission. To reserve yours, please click the link below and write “book” in the notes section.
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Book Launch:
No One Taught Me How to Be a Man
Monday Apr 14th, 2025, 6:00 PM
As a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, House of Prayer Lutheran Church is committed to welcome, including, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We work toward racial equity and commit to anti-racist work. As part of this commitment, which we believe reflects God’s love for all people, we invite you to participate in this event.
Please join Moon Palace Books and author Shannon T. L. Kearns on Monday, April 14th at 6:00pm to celebrate the release of No One Taught Me How to Be a Man: What a Trans Man's Experience Reveals About Masculinity. Shannon will be joined in conversation by Chris Stedman and Kyle "Guante" Tran Myhre.
**This is an in-person event, and masks are required in the store.**
No one ever taught Shannon Kearns how to be a man. As a trans man, Shannon was presumed female at birth and constructed his relationship with masculinity after his transition, using bits and pieces he gathered from the world around him: male behavior, pop culture portrayals, and cultural expectations for men that seemed to be in the air he breathed. In No One Taught Me How to Be a Man, Kearns takes masculinity head-on. He uses his experience to "see" gender in ways cis men cannot, making masculinity visible. Without arguing that masculinity should be done away with, or that there is no real difference between men and women, he bravely points toward a form of manhood built for the well-being of the world, and for people of all genders.
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org. or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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Invitation to Worship & Appreciation Service
from HOP Rental Partner Southview SDA
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
We are truly grateful for the six years of partnership and fellowship we have shared in ministry. Your dedication and commitment to serving alongside us have been a tremendous blessing, and we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation.
It is with great joy that we invite you to join us for a special worship service on Saturday, April 5th at 11:00 am. This will be a time of thanksgiving and celebration as we honor the bond we have built in Christ and look forward to the continued work of His Kingdom together. We will have a potluck meal to follow the service.
We would be honored by your presence as we worship, pray, and reflect on the impact of our partnership over these years. Please let us know if you will be able to join us.
May God continue to bless and strengthen our ministries as we serve Him together.
In his service,
Pastor Sean Lee, Pastor Darnisha Thomas, and the Southview SDA Church Board.
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Grief Coalition Spring Series
Woodlake Lutheran Church - Fellowship Hall
2120 W. 76th St.
Richfield, MN 55423
Muriel8253@gmail.com
| | | March 26 | Soul Work | Bob Bartlett | | April 3 | Intimacy | Bob Bartlett | | April 10 | Grieving through Grief and Multiple Losses | Julie Ditzler
| | | | April 17 | No Meeting -
Maundy Thursday |
| | April 24 | How Families Grieve | Mary Ann Kelly-Wright | | May 1 | Grieving through Grief and Multiple Losses | Julie Ditzler
| | | | May 8 | The Courage To Ask:
Embracing Help on the Path to Healing | Dr. Rene Garpestad | | May 15 | Sibling Loss | Maggie Bauer | | | | | |
