peace notes february 2014

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF WORD OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCHA MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF WORD OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCHA MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF WORD OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCHA MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF WORD OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

PEACE NOTESPEACE NOTESPEACE NOTESPEACE NOTES FEBRUARY 2014FEBRUARY 2014FEBRUARY 2014FEBRUARY 2014

I am overwhelmed, honored, and humbled by the turnout and support I received

by the congrega�on vote to call me as your Senior Pastor. It is with gra�tude,

prayer, and excitement that I accept your call to be Senior Pastor of Word of

Peace Lutheran Church.

As I was going through this call process and discerning God’s will, my devo�onal

reading focused on the Psalms. One verse in par�cular, Psalm 34:3, spoke to me

and I see it as a theme verse for my ministry at Word of Peace. Psalm 34:3 says,

“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Together we

will exalt God’s name. Together we will magnify the Lord, which is to make the

Lord’s name great.

In the 16+ years that I have served Word of Peace, we have been doing this to-

gether. Together we have worked and ministered in growing God’s church. To-

gether we have relocated and built a new building. Together we have reached

out to the community and to the world with the loving gospel of Jesus Christ. As

we carry on together with the Lord’s work in this place and in this new pastoral

rela�onship, I do not want to lose what makes Word of Peace, Word of Peace.

This church and congrega�on is known for its spirit of openness, welcome, and

hospitality. It is known for its commitment to the uncondi�onal grace of God.

And it is known for its care and compassion for people.

Of course, I want to see Word of Peace con�nue to grow. I want to see Word of

Peace con�nue to grow spiritually—growing deeper in the spiritual disciplines of

prayer, Bible reading, worship, and our giving of our �me, talents, and financial

resources. I want to see Word of Peace con�nue to grow in our sense of God’s

vision and mission and what God is calling us to be and do together. And I want

Congratulaons to our

New Senior Pastor, Rick Skare!

In a special meeng held on Sunday, January 12, the Word of Peace

congregaon voted by a majority of 95% to call Pastor Rick Skare as

the new Senior Pastor. Thank you to the 428 members who came out

to vote on this crical decision.

Pastor Rick has humbly accepted the call, and his responsibilies as

Senior Pastor will officially begin on February 1, 2014.

He writes:

Dear Word of Peace Family,

to see Word of Peace con�nue to

grow in our outreach to the com-

munity and to the world.

I am excited about my new pasto-

ral rela�onship with you and I look

forward to seeing what we will

con�nue to do together. I am ex-

cited about exal�ng God’s name

together and making the Lord’s

name great in our lives, in our

church, in our communi�es, and in

the world. I ask for your ongoing

prayers and support for my family

and I as we con�nue to partner

together in the work of Jesus Christ

in and through Word of Peace.

God bless you all and

Grace and Peace to you!

Pastor Rick Skare, Senior Pastor

2

21705 129th Ave. N.

P.O. Box 306

Rogers, MN 55374

Church Office

763-496-2400 (press 3 to leave an emergency

message for the pastor)

On the Web

www.wordofpeace.org

www.facebook.com/

wordofpeace

Office Hours

Mon-Thurs 8am-4:30pm

Fri 8am-12:30pm

Our Vision Statement Our vision is to be a community where

everyone knows Christ’s Love and

shares Christ’s Love with all people.

Our Mission Statement Christ works through us as we:

• Welcome all people to grow in

faith, love and devo7on,

• Share Christ through word

and deed,

• Care for others and the world

God made, and

• Work for jus7ce and peace.

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS Contact Jennie Priebe at

763-496-2401 or [email protected].

March newsle9er deadline:

February 14 at Noon

Family Worship is on February 16 & 17

The children’s choirs will be singing, children will be reading, we will have

some great songs for kids of all ages and a special Sunday brunch.

Don’t miss it!

February 2 & 3 Pastor Rick Skare,

“The Greatest Story: Follow Me“

Following Jesus invites us out of the shallows of our lives into a deeper mean-

ing and purpose.

Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11


“The Greatest Story: Who Then is This?“

It is deeply built in us to fear death. But in the story of Lazarus, Jesus tells us

that not even death gets the last word with him.

Scripture Reading: John 11:1-44

February 16 & 17 Pastor Krista Strum,

“The Greatest Story: Who Touched Me?“

Jesus saves us from illness by working for healing in our bodies and minds. He

breaks our social isola7on by giving us a place in his community of faith.

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43


“The Greatest Story: Let the Forgiven Forgive“

The source of our hope to forgive and to love our enemies is the astonishing,

forgiving love of God. Jesus radiates that amazing love.

Scripture Reading: Luke 7:36-50

Sermons

& Readings

3

Like Us on Facebook!

Follow Us on Twi?er!

Come be a part of our online community of

Word of Peace friends! Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at

church, view pictures and videos from various events, post

comments or create discussions about sermons or studies, etc.

www.facebook.com/wordofpeace

www.twi?er.com/woplc

Mental Health Book Discussion

Monday, February 10, 7:30pm

The Mental Health Book Club meets the 2nd

Monday of every month. This month’s discus-

sion will be based on the book, CRAZY: A Fa-

ther's Search Through America's Mental Health

Madness by Pete Earley.

Earley, a former Washington Post reporter, learned first-hand

what happens to mentally ill people who break the law when his

own son—in the throes of a manic episode—broke into a neigh-

bor's house. The Earley family’s story gives us a troubling look at

the bureaucra7c apathy and the countless thousands who suffer

confinement instead of care, brutal condi7ons instead of treat-

ment, in the "revolving doors" between hospital and jail.

You do not need to read the book to aIend the discussion. For

more informa7on, contact Cheryl Karst at 763-441-3019.

Congratulaons to

Confirmaon Class of 2014

Word of Peace congratulates the 104 ninth

graders who affirmed their bap7sm on Jan-

uary 11 and 12.

Students completed their Confirma7on

faith forma7on events this fall by being

trained in the Peer Ministry program, “The

Good Samaritan.” This ministry equips

young people to be compassionate people

and friends to other students at their school

and at home. Their confirma7on week is

filled with encouragement and prayers from

their family and it culminates in a worship

service designed and led by the students.

Word of Peace is grateful for the faith of

these young people. Our congrega7on

hopes and prays that these young people

and their families will con7nue to grow in

their faith through worship, service, and

fellowship. Thanks be to God for these

ninth graders!

Kids of Peace Preschool

2014-15 Registraon is Now Open

Your child will receive a quality learning

experience with an emphasis on aca-

demics, social development, crea7vity,

and spiritual growth by a loving staff in

a small classroom seNng. For more in-

forma7on, visit wordofpeace.org/kidsofpeace or contact

Julie PicconaIo at 763-496-2419 or [email protected].

Get Your Super Bowl Subs

Sunday, February 2, 8:30am-Noon

Stop by the table in the South

Gathering Area between services

and purchase Super Bowl Sub

Sandwiches for the whole family to enjoy while you watch the

big game. $6.00 includes sandwich, chips and a cookie. All pro-

ceeds go to Word of Peace youth.

Parents Night OutParents Night OutParents Night OutParents Night Out is Friday, Feb. 14is Friday, Feb. 14is Friday, Feb. 14is Friday, Feb. 14

(That’s Valentine’s Day, Folks!)

Sign up Today on the Youth Bulletin Board

Contact the Youth office for more info.

Hey Parents, Hey Parents, Hey Parents, Hey Parents, Do You Need a Break?Do You Need a Break?Do You Need a Break?Do You Need a Break?

4

We have so many wonderful ministries at Word of Peace,

from the worship services, to the programs for children and

youth, to reaching out to the community and helping those

in crisis. Your financial giPs make a difference to these min-

istries!

We need your help, especially this year. Since the offerings

were less than expected in 2013, we had a shorQall of

$45,720 in our General Fund that is being carried over to

2014. This has necessitated a freeze in our ministry expens-

es and cuts to the following:

• Pushing the hire date of the third Pastor to

September

• Staff furloughs of $12,000

• Removal of brass for Easter and the Fes7val

of Carols

• Removal of traffic control on Sunday mornings.

If we can pull together and increase our giving in 2014,

Word of Peace can con7nue to grow rather than decrease

our ministry.

For those who have not made a pledge yet to Word of

Peace’s General Fund this year, we invite you and your fami-

ly to do so. Pledging is a way to prac7ce the Bible’s teaching

that each one should personally set aside an amount to give

regularly (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) and to give off the top

(MaIhew 6:24-34). We ask that you reflect on the Bible’s

teachings and prayerfully consider making a pledge this year

(even if you plan on giving through our automated giving

program, Direct Giving).

Look for the pledge cards in the mail or they are available at

the informa7on desk in the gathering area. Pledge cards can

be returned to the church by placing it in the offering plate,

dropping it in the mail, or stopping by the church office.

“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so

willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord

with a whole heart.” — 1 Chronicles 29:9

Grace & Peace to you

from the Stewardship Team and Pastors,

Pastor Rick Skare Pastor Krista Strum

Now, When You Miss Worship,

You Don’t Have to Miss Worship!

HELP SAVE OUR BRASS

In recent years we have been blessed to have had the brass

ensemble at Easter services and brass, harp and timpani at

the Festival of Carols services. In order for that tradition to

continue, we will need to raise roughly $4,500 this year, and

$2,000 of that must be raised by February 16 in order to

have professional musicians for Easter services. If we are

unable to hire these musicians this year, it may be very diffi-

cult to get them back since they are in high demand.

Therefore, we have started a Word of Peace

Music Patron Fund. If you believe that mu-

sic plays an important role in inspirational

worship, please become a Word of Peace

Music Patron. By doing so, you will be giv-

ing the glorious gift of music to our entire

congregation!

Become a Music Patron at Word of Peace today so we can

raise the funds needed for professional musicians at Easter

and Festival of Carols. Checks may be made payable to Word

of Peace with “Music Patron Fund” in the memo. Or, visit

wordofpeace.org/give to set up a one-time or recurring gift

via Direct Giving. If you are unable to give at this time,

please pray that our ministry will continue to be vital and

sustaining. Thank you.

Michael Sahlen, Director of Worship & Music

Whether you’re ill, out of town or miss worship for any

reason, or if you just want to watch it again or catch up

on your Confirma7on service notes, we’ve made it easier.

Visit WordofPeace.org/WATCH

View current and archived worship services.

(Sunday services will be available the following Tuesday.)

5

Q & AQ & AQ & AQ & A

What is an Endowment Fund?

An endowment fund is an investment fund established

to enhance the ministries of the church beyond the gen-

eral opera7ng budget. It is unique because the principal

remains intact and only the interest is spent each year.

Why does Word of Peace Need an Endowment Fund?

An endowment fund provides a viable and secure future

for Word of Peace and its mission by distribu7on to

Scholarships, Ministry, Outreach and other designated

projects. This fund supports our mission: “To be a com-

munity where everyone knows Christ's Love and shares

Christ's Love with all people.”

What are the Benefits of Giving to the Fund?

GiPs to the Endowment Fund can offer financial bene-

fits such as a tax deduc7on, reduc7on of estate taxes,

and avoiding capital gains tax. You will also be leaving a

legacy to Word of Peace that will be working during and

beyond your life7me.

How Does this Gi+ Differ from Annual Giving?

General and Building Funds serve the church's day to

day needs. Your Endowment Fund giP, when combined

with that of others, can help fund ministry opportuni7es

that are long term in nature.

Can I Decide How my Gi+ is Used?

Yes. There are five separate accounts to choose from

when making your giP. These include areas such as min-

istry, scholarship and outreach missions.

Who Manages the Endowment Fund?

The Endowment Fund is managed by a commiIee of

Word of Peace members and staff. They are commiIed

to faithfully and confiden7ally serving you and the

church.

Visit WordofPeace.org/Endowment in the coming

weeks for more informa3on and a full descrip3on of

available funds and their missions.

My Trip to India by Sally Haugen

In 2002 I traveled to India with Lutheran

Partners in Global Ministry to visit several of

their boarding schools and meet the teach-

ers and children.

The beauty of the countryside was a stark

contrast to the visible poverty. One day as I was walking outside, a

young woman passed me leading some caIle down a path. She was

wearing a colorful sari but had bare feet and was carrying a naked

baby on her hip. We witnessed the physical labor of coolies (farmers)

threshing grain on heavily traveled roads. As they beat the plants,

others swept up the grain. We saw children begging and we saw the

straw huts they called homes.

I was struck by the sparse living condi7ons at the boarding school.

The children slept on simple floor mats, ate their meals with their

hands and washed their own clothes by hand. But many of the chil-

dren were orphans or their fathers were dead, and if leP alone would

not survive. Without an educa7on at a boarding school they would

most likely become pros7tutes or beggars.

Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry is a wonderful organiza7on and I

was privileged to be a part of it. If you are interested in going on a mission trip to India, there are trips

offered twice each year through LPGM. You may also get involved by

helping to sponsor a child at a school and show them Christ's

love. For more informa�on, please contact the church office or LPGM

at (612) 823-5058 or www.lutheranpartners.org.

Thank You from LPGM Please accept my deepest gra�tude for your generous giI [of

$831.85], which will be used for projects in the Kalrayan Hills. I

am thankful for your support of LPGM and the life-changing min-

istries we engage in with our many partners in the world.

Lives are being transformed and many posi�ve rela�onships are

being made. Through your giI, you are partnering with us to

make a difference in the world. We are so grateful for your gen-

erous support and for our special growing partnership in mission.

In Christ’s Service,

Gordon Olson, Founding Director

6

Learning MinistryLearning MinistryLearning MinistryLearning Ministry

MS: Bagels & Bibles—Feb. 9 at 9:45am in the Youth

Room. Food, devo7ons and games—Friends are always

welcome!

MS: Winter Retreat at Luther Crest in Alexandria, Feb. 28

-Mar. 1. Snow tubing, cross country skiing, worship,

broom hockey, snow shoeing, bible studies and more!

Warm cabins and delicious food! Cost is $70 + please in-

clude a completed Word of Peace health form with regis-

tra7on.

MS/HS: Parents Night Out: Friday, February 14, 6-10pm

Earn money for your youth account or get Confirma7on

service hours! Sign up to volunteer on the youth board.

HS: Volunteer at CROSS Food Shelf—Feb. 12, 5:30-

7:30pm. We’ll meet at CROSS and sort/package food as a

group! All are welcome!

HS: Sunday Perk—Feb. 19 at 11am in the youth room.

Coffee, hot chocolate, games & great conversa7on!

HS: Snow Tubing at Elm Creek: Feb. 26, 6-8pm

We’ll meet at Elm Creek at 6pm. Cost is approx. $8 for 2

hours of tubing, payable when you get to Elm Creek.

Bring a completed parent permission form (available on

the youth bulle7n board).

Summer Camps &

Programs for Youth There are lots of fun, faith-filled opportuni7es coming

in Summer 2014. Pick up an informa7on flyer from out-

side the Youth Ministry Office. The deadline for camp

registra7on is Monday, March 3.

Summer programs for MS/HS youth include:

Journey of the Cross June 15-20

(Completed 9-12)

Summer Stretch June 18-Aug. 13

(Completed grades 5-12)

Family Camp at Luther Crest June 27-29

(All families welcome)

High School Mystery Mission July 20-25


Middle School Mystery Trip July 24-27


For information about youth ministries, go to www.wordofpeace.org/middle-school or www.wordofpeace.org/high-school.

Confirmaon Offering for C.R.O.S.S. Please bring your offering to Large Group. This

month’s needed items are:

• Jam/Jelly

• Pancake mix and syrup

• Small stuffed bunnies for Easter baskets

Thank You!

Important Dates:

February 5: No Confirma7on Classes

Mandatory Guide Huddle, 6-8pm

February 16/17: No Church School Classes

Mandatory Teacher Training at

each church school hour

Cows and Sheep and Chicks, Oh My! Our church school kids and families gave an amazing

birthday present to Jesus by raising over $3,200 for God’s

Global Barnyard! Thank you!!

Summer Camps

for Kids & Families

SEEDS Camp at Wapo Aug. 1-3


Youth Camp at Wapo Aug. 10-15


Family Camp at Luther Crest June 27-29

(All families welcome)

Stop by the Educa7on office for more informa7on.

Youth MinistryYouth MinistryYouth MinistryYouth Ministry MS = Middle School | HS = High School

7

Thursday Senior Shop Rogers Bus—

Thursdays at 10am, $1.00 per rider.

Contact Judy at 763-428-7657.

Jammers Potluck & Music—Sunday,

2/2 from 1-5pm (eat at 4pm) at the

Rogers Community Room. Bring a dish

to share. Contact Dave at 763-428-

4217.

Rogers Senior Dining—Tuesday

through Thursday every week at

12:00 noon at the Rogers Community

Room. Call at least two days in ad-

vance by 2pm for reserva7ons, 763-

428-0976. Cost: 55+ $4.00. Under 55

$5.00.

1/2 Hour Foot Care Session—

Monday, Feb. 24 at the Rogers Com-

munity Room. Call 763-560-5136 for

an appointment.

BECOME A MEMBER

OF WORD OF PEACE

AIend the New Member Orienta7on on

Thursday, February 13, 6:00-9:00pm

Recep7on of New Members is February 23 & 24

SeniorsSeniorsSeniorsSeniors

In November 2013 Word of Peace donated

$7,288 and 496 lbs. of food. Thank you for

your generous giving!

CROSS is no longer in need of egg cartons or

empty plas7c soap containers. Also, they are

not able to accept televisions, computers or

other electronics.

CROSS is in need of new school supplies,

party supplies and giP wrap, Easter basket

supplies, and new toys.

Current Food Needs: Cereal, shampoo and

condi7oner.

All dona7ons are greatly appreciated!

• Meet the pastors and key staff

• Learn what we believe and how we

do ministry

• Enjoy a fellowship meal

• Iden7fy your giPs and how to

use them at church and beyond

Please RSVP: Contact Susen Kay in the Church Office

763-496-2400 | [email protected]

- OR -

Sign up online at wordofpeace.org/membership

Membership is not required to par�cipate in the life of Word of Peace.

Non members are always welcome to take part in

worship, study and fellowship events of this faith community.

Cultural Cooking Day—Monday, Feb.

3 at 1pm at the Rogers Community

Room kitchen. Join us for a fun 7me

of cooking and exchanging culturally

rich recipes in the Rogers Community

Room Kitchen. Contact Liz at 428-

0939 to par7cipate or if you would

like to demonstrate how to cook a

food item for the group. Bring along

recipes, stories, or pictures that rep-

resent your history or a specific cul-

ture.

One-on-One Computer Help at the

Rogers Library: Thursday evenings

from 5:30-8pm. Assistance with navi-

ga7ng websites, seNng up an email

account, working on documents and

using e-readers. Get a 1/2 hour of

help from a knowledgeable volunteer.

Call 612-543-6050 to set up an ap-

pointment, or sign up at the Rogers

Library Informa7on Desk.

The Word of Peace Kids-Care Bus takes

seniors shopping at Ridgedale every

other month. The next trip will be Tues-

day, Feb. 11. Cost is $1.00 for the round

trip. The bus starts picking up at

9:30am and returns to Rogers by

1:30pm. Call Judy to sign up at 763-428-

7657.

Please contact Judy Hanson at 763-428-

7657 for resource, community or general

informa�on for seniors in the Rogers area.

To subscribe to the Rogers Senior News-

le9er, call 763-241-3520. Read the news-

le9er online at Seniors.CityofRogers.org.

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

PAID ROGERS, MN PERMIT NO. 9

Ch a n g e S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d

Word of Peace Lutheran Church Con�rmation Class of 2014

See Article on Page 3

peace notes february 2014

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