Here's an update about what is happening at House of Prayer! | |
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Sunday Worship
Real Presence In God’s Embrace
No matter what we do (kill prophets, stone the messengers) Jesus wants to embrace us and let us know of God’s love. When we resist, and rebel, we actively choose to live outside of God’s love (aka in Hell). Jesus calls us to a better way, and it’s not about what we do … it’s about letting God be God in our lives and not resisting God’s abundant love. If you have any questions about this service, contact Pastor Eric 612-866-8471, ext. 2/eluedtke@hoplc.org.
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Mardi Gras Dixieland Transfiguration Combined Worship with Woodlake
March 2, 2025
Worship Bulletin-Click Here
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No ReFeuel Worship on March 2, 2025
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Spring Forward!
Yay! It's that time of year again when it begins to stay light outside past 7 pm! This Sunday, March 9, at 2 am. Remember to move your clocks an hour ahead before you go to bed on Saturday night. Yes, losing that hour of sleep is tough for a few days, but so worth it as we head into the warm months of the year.
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VEAP Hygiene Kits Packing / Thrivent This Sunday!
We’ll be packing Hygiene Kits for VEAP at 10:30am between services at HOP. Our Community Engagement Team is organizing this awesome event to provide much needed basic supplies for our neighbors at VEAP. This project is sponsored by HOP, Thrivent, a generous matching donor, and all you who contributed supplies and funds. We have collected $3000 to purchase supplies to pack today’s kits! Many thanks to our Thrivent members Larry & Mary Markes and Gerald Buffington who applied for a Thrivent Action Team grant to cover some of the cost for supplies. Our Thrivent Engagement Team Leader, Zach Dilger, will be at HOP today to share more information about Thrivent and ways they can support more projects like this at HOP. Please contact Cara Wright at cwright@hoplc.org if you have a Thrivent Policy.
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Transfiguration/Mari Gras/ Dixieland
Combined HOP & Woodlake Worship
Mardi Gras Sunday with HOP & Woodlake Lutheran Church - "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In!" What a festive day to celebrate Transfiguration Sunday with a festive Dixieland Jazz influence. Our Collaboration Choir, Brass, and Handbells led a rousing service that got us all clapping and tapping our toes. We wove the familiar elements of worship among the festive tunes and celebration of the Good News. Nothing like a cupcake sugar overload for breakfast after worship as we prepare for the start of Lent this week. Thanks to all who joined us - everyone is always welcome! If you have any questions about this service, contact Pastor Eric 612-866-8471, ext. 2/eluedtke@hoplc.org. Watch the service on our YouTube channel- House of Prayer Lutheran-Richfield https://youtube.com/@houseofprayerlutheran-rich9999.
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Wednesday Lenten Services
HOP and Woodlake will be sharing our Wednesday evenings in 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’ll be gathering at Woodlake this year (2120 W 76th St, Richfield) for the Wednesdays in Lent. Contact Pastor Eric at 612-866-8471, ext. 2, or eluedtke@hoplc.org. with questions.
Lent 1: March 12
† 5:30pm. Chili or Vegetarian Chili, House Salad, Sliders, Cornbread, and Lemon Bars
† 6:00pm. Worship Theme #Real Presence of Choral Music
† 6:30pm. Holden Evening Prayer
If you have any questions, contact Pastor Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org. or 612-866-8471, ext. 2.
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Lenten Supper Volunteers Needed
Our collaborative Lenten Suppers will be on Wednesday nights during Lent (starting March 12) at Woodlake. Each year we move between HOP and WL and both churches supply volunteers to serve. The dates that volunteers are still needed are March 26 and April 9 - 5:00-5:30 pm set up/prepare, 5:30-6:00 pm serve, 6:00-7 pm clean up. Our Lenten Soup Supper Coordinator Kirsten Hargreaves will show the volunteers what they need to do and will be there each week. Please contact the Woodlake Church Office at office@woodlakechurch.org / 612-266-8449 if you can help.
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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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Ash Wednesday
This past Wednesday, House of Prayer and Woodlake worshipped together for a night of repentance and self reflection. The ashes on our foreheads reminded us that we have fallen short of God's call to justice and love for our neighbors. Pr. Neal reminded us that we are not called to worship on Sunday only to be apathetic the rest of the week. Rather, our worship should send us out into the world to do good for our neighbor! If you have questions about worship, please contact Pr. Eric at eluedtke@hoplc.org / 612-866-8471 ext. 2.
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Feed My Starving Children Collaboration HOP-WL
On Saturday, March 1, HOP and WL joined forces to fight hunger at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan. Over 40 folks from our congregations helped fill the FMSC center to pack 24,840 meals that will feed 68 kids a daily meal for a year! It was a high energy, exciting day and fun was had by all! If you have any questions about Collaboration Events, contact Heidi Thomas at heidit1109@live.com.
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Friendship Fund-Day This Sunday!
All loose offerings will go to buy gift cards
THANK YOU to all who continue to donate HOP’s Friendship Fund. Wow! It helps so much! Our Friendship Fund provides $25 gift cards to those in need for Holiday Gas Stations and Walmart (the two retailers closest to us). Anyone needing extra help can stop by the church office once every 3 months to receive a gift card – no questions asked. THE NEED IS GREATER THAN EVER!
To assist as many people as possible, we ask for an ID (or name if no ID) and keep track of visits. Often, people come in for a prayer, kind words, and encouragement. We also provide contact information for food/clothing shelves, homeless assistance, and help with many other requests. Mary Weaver and Jill Larson do a wonderful job directly assisting those who come to HOP for help. If you have questions, contact Cara Wright at cwright@hoplc.org / 612-866-8471 ext. 3.
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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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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 - March 11th
Join us on Tuesdays at 9:30 am for Bible study with Pastor Eric. The following are the verses for next week:
- Deuteronomy 26:1-11
- Psalm 91:1-2,9-16
- Romans 10:8b-13
- Luke 4:1-13
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 Tonight!
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
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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 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 Pre K-Grade 5
Must be potty-trained
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 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.
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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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