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

MARCH 2015MARCH 2015MARCH 2015MARCH 2015

40 DAYS OF PREPARATION LENT

LENTEN WORSHIP with Dramas and Music from the

Holden Evening Prayer Service

WEDNESDAYS THROUGH MARCH 25

Services at 5:30 and 7:00 PM

Supper from 5:00-7:00 PM

2

Pastor Rick Skare, Senior Pastor

Pastor Krista Strum, Pastor

Pastor Keith Long, Pastor

21705 129th Ave. N.

Rogers, MN 55374

Church Office

763-496-2400

(press 3 to leave an emergency

message for the pastor)

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 devo6on,

• Share Christ through word

and deed,

• Care for others and the world

God made, and

• Work for jus6ce and peace.

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

Contact Jennie Priebe at

763-496-2401 or

jpriebe@woplc.org.

April newsle�er deadline:

March 13

WordofPeace.org

Sermons

& Readings

March 1 & 2 | Second Weekend in Lent

Pastor Rick Skare, “Sorrow: When Your Heart is Breaking”

Grief comes to us through many forms of loss—loss of life, loss of health,

loss of job, loss of rela6onship, loss of finances. God is close to us in our

grief and helps us through it.

Scripture Readings: John 11:25-44; Psalm 34:1-6, 18-19; Romans 12:9-18

March 8 & 9 | Third Weekend in Lent

Pastor Keith Long, “Struggle: When Life Makes No Sense”

Our teenagers just might hold the key to understanding what life with God

is like a<er all. A word of cau6on to parents: Do not let your teenagers read

that first sentence.

Scripture Readings: Genesis 32:22-32; Romans 7:14-25; Psalm 88:8-18

March 15 & 16 | Fourth Weekend in Lent

Pastor Rick Skare, “Surrender: The Path to Peace”

It’s easy to get stuck in the pain and hardship of life. Today we explore the

path to peace and le@ng go of the pain in life.

Scripture Readings: 2 Samuel 12:15b-23; 1 Peter 5:6-11; Psalm 9

March 22 & 23 | Fi/h Weekend in Lent

Kris0n Skare (Seminary Student), “Surprise: Finding Treasure in Darkness”

No maAer what the darkness might look like for us, God is there and inter-

venes with hidden treasure.

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 45:1-7; Ma�hew 13: 44-46; Psalm 13

March 29 & 30 | PALM SUNDAY

Pastor Keith Long, “Des&na&on: Golgatha—Using our Pain for Good”

From agonizing yoga posi6ons to hun6ng through thistles, burrs, caAails

and snow-packed C.R.P.—our suffering not only builds character, but re-

tells the greatest story ever told.

Scripture Readings: Mark 14:1-11; Romans 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

3

The Season of Lent Con0nues

through March

Lenten Worship Services will con6nue

through March 25 on Wednesdays at

5:30 and 7pm, and a light supper will be

served from 5-7pm. Through worship,

drama and music from the Holden Even-

ing Prayer, these services provide a

meaningful 6me of prepara6on during

the weeks leading up to Easter. All are

welcome.

The Word of Peace Lent Calendar is

available at the Informa6on Desk and at

wordofpeace.org/lent. The calendar in-

cludes everything that’s happening

throughout the season of Lent, along

with ideas for you and your family to ex-

perience Lent in your everyday lives. Lent

calendars are also available at the Infor-

ma6on Desk.

Lenten Devo0onals from Luther Semi-

nary are available at the Informa6on

Desk and online at luthersem.edu/lent. If

you prefer, you can get them via email

when you sign up for the GodPause daily

devo6ons. Sign up at luthersem.edu/

godpause.

Lenten Sermon Series and Adult Study:

How To Get Through What You’re Going Through

We con6nue our series and adult study through March about how, as

followers of Christ, we live in the promise that God is with us during

even the worst challenges of our lives.

Through biblical stories you can see how God can and does work even

during the most difficult of 6mes. We will provide you with some

prac6ces that you can use to help you get through whatever you are

going through. And if life is really good right now, we will show you

how God can use you to be present for others.

Worship Topics:

March 1 - Sorrow: When Your Heart Is Breaking

March 8 – Struggle: When Life Makes No Sense

March 15- Surrender: The Path to Peace

March 22– Surprise: Finding Treasure in Darkness

March 29 – Service: Using Your Pain for Good

Adult Study:

Join us for People of Faith during the Sunday Morning Study at

9:45am in Room 120 as we look at the lives of biblical characters, the

challenges they faced, how God was present in and worked through

the challenges, and ul6mately how God used these biblical characters’

lives for the good of God’s kingdom. We will be looking at the lives of:

Rachel, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gomer, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Job.

It is our prayer that you find Word of Peace a place of hope, under-

standing, encouragement, and healing when you are faced with the

trials of life. We encourage you take part in some or all of the offer-

ings as we claim the promises of God’s story.

4

HappeningsHappeningsHappeningsHappenings

Food Packing Night

at Word of Peace

You are invited to Word of Peace

on Thursday, March 12 from 6:30-

8:30pm to pack food kits for hun-

gry children all over the world.

Last year we packed over 12,000

meals!

Adults and children of all ages are welcome! This is a great

way to educate kids about this worldwide problem and

how they can be part of the solu6on to end hunger. Chil-

dren eight years and younger should have a parent present

with them for one-on-one help on the foot kit line.

We ask that each family provide a $25 dona6on that will

fund the food for the kits and that you sign-up outside the

Children’s and Confirma6on Ministry office.

Contact Kris6n Skare at kskare@woplc.org or 763-496-2404

or Megan Moen at mmoen@woplc.org or 763-496-2423

with your ques6ons.

It’s All in the Word of Peace Family

It began more than two years ago when Kris6n Skare was asked to be the curricu-

lum writer team leader for Proclaim Story Day for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gather-

ing. Kris6n then asked Dain Swanson, Marcus Eads and Lisa Buck to jump on

board to help her Gathering team write the ini6al dra< of the curriculum. This

past November, Kris6n flew to Detroit where 210 high school youth and adults

from across the country gathered to pilot the curriculum and worship.

This coming summer, 35 Word of Peace youth and adult leaders will aAend the 5-

day gathering and experience this Proclaim Story curriculum and serve and be

transformed by the great people of Detroit. The ELCA Youth Gathering for high school-age youth takes place

once every three years and is about faith forma6on, worship, study, fellowship, service, and play. It is an oppor-

tunity for youth to engage with peers from across the United States and the world, who share a common com-

mitment and faith in Christ.

Why Detroit? Detroit is a diverse, dis6nct city with a rich history. Detroit has faced and con6nues to face its

share of challenges. Yet, there is a growing revitaliza6on underway, and we believe God is calling us to Detroit

to learn and serve among our brothers and sisters there. Thank you to all of you who have sponsoring our trip

through giving and prayer. If you would like to sponsor this trip, please contact Marcus Eads at

meads@woplc.org or 763-496-2410.

Sponsor a Bible for a Child

at Word of Peace

On March 22 we will kick-off our annual Bi-

ble Blast campaign. At Word of Peace we

take seriously the promises we make to chil-

dren at bap6sm. One of those promises is to

put a Bible in the hands of every child who

enters our door and every adult who does

not have one. Please consider dona6ng $18

to sponsor a Bible.

Look for our Bible

Blast tables in the

Gathering Area and

outside the Chil-

dren’s Ministry ar-

ea for dona6on

forms. Or donate online at

wordofpeace.org/give.

5

HappeningsHappeningsHappeningsHappenings

2015 Leadership Summit

Tuesday, March 3, 6:30-9:00pm

The Leadership Summit is an opportunity

for the Word of Peace leaders (ministry

teams, task forces, Strategic Planning

Team, Execu6ve Team and staff) to come

together for an evening of visioning, team

building, faith building, and fellowship. We

welcome the many new and returning

team members and we look forward to the

great things that will be accomplished at

Word of Peace!

Fes0val Chorus Rehearsals

Begin March 4 at 7:30pm

Please join us as we li< our voices during

Holy Week! The Fes6val Chorus will sing in

worship on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday

and Easter Saturday and Sunday. There will

be just five rehearsals and child care will be

available.

This is a wonderful opportunity to serve

the Lord with your musical talents, without

the long-term commitment. For more in-

forma6on, contact Michael Sahlen, Minis-

ter of Worship & Music, at 763-496-2412

or msahlen@woplc.org.

No Peace Market This Year

The ini6al vision for Peace Market was to provide an oppor-

tunity for those in need to have a faith-based place to pur-

chase necessary items at an accessible price. Over the years,

Peace Market has become more of a community-wide gar-

age sale and social event, with unsold items being donated

to Goodwill. Although those benefits are good, Peace Mar-

ket requires numerous volunteer hours, staff hours and

building space.

With much discussion and prayer, we have decided to table

Peace Market for 2015. This decision was carefully made,

reviewing feedback from the ministry teams and volunteers

as to the frustra6ons and challenges of the event. We are

looking for addi6onal ways to partner with CROSS and other

agencies in the area to more effec6vely meet the needs of

individuals and families in our community.

We ask you to pray for our pastors, staff, community leaders

and agencies as they work together to assess the needs of

our community and the ways in which Word of Peace can be

more involved in mee6ng those needs. Thank you!

Set your clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time!

Spring Forward on March 8Spring Forward on March 8Spring Forward on March 8Spring Forward on March 8

Word of Peace celebrates the

Ordina0on of Amy Chalupnik

Amy Chalupnik is the eldest daughter of

Word of Peace members, Lou and Joyce

Oberdeck. Amy was ordained to the Min-

istry of Word and Sacrament on Saturday,

February 14, and called as Associate Pas-

tor to Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA) in

Becker, MN.

Amy grew up at Word of Peace and was confirmed here in 1988.

She fondly remembers her two trips to the ELCA Youth Gathering,

playing so<ball on the Word of Peace team, and serving on the Call

CommiAee to call Pastor John Chris6anson.

Ordina6on is a service and act of the whole church, and to honor

the congrega6on of her youth, Word of Peace’s large ceremonial

Bible was carried in during the opening processional.

We extend our hearRelt congratula6ons to Amy on this wonderful

achievement, and we ask the Lord to bless her in her ministry.

6

This Lent, Let’s Make A Difference In the Lives of Others!

Same day appointments. Convenience care clinics. Plen0ful vaccina-

0ons. An0bio0cs. Pharmacies. Clean water. These are all conveniences

that we take for granted in 2015 in Minnesota. But they are not available

for everyone around the world. Some have to walk days and miles to re-

ceive basic medical care.

Word of Peace is trying to make a difference in the lives of people who do

not have access to good medical care. We would like to raise $5,000 dur-

ing Lent to help support the remodel and extend the capacity of the Dem-

sa Clinic and Hospital in Nigeria.

We have partnered with the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN)

for this project, which is sponsored by Lutheran Partners in Global Minis-

try (LPGM), Global Health Ministries (GHM), and the Minneapolis Area

Synod of the ELCA, who have already pledged over $450,000. The goal of

this project is to add health educa6on and preven6on programs in the

surrounding community, expand the availability of clean drinking water,

help with malaria treatment and preven6on and remodel and expand the

exis6ng clinic and hospital.

The Global Missions Team will be collec6ng dona6ons throughout Lent.

Please stop by the Informa6on Desk to pick up a giving envelope, or give

online at wordofpeace.org/give. Any amount is appreciated!

PROJECT:

DEMSA

HEALTH

CENTER

March is Minnesota

FoodShare Month

During March, Word of Peace is

joining people of good will from

across the state to help alleviate

hunger. Minnesota FoodShare’s

March Campaign is the largest food

drive in the state, and congrega-

6ons like ours are the heart of the

campaign.

As par6cipants in this event, we will

be collec6ng cash & food dona6ons

for CROSS from March 1-31. Last

year, Word of Peace ranked 3rd

in

the state for raising cash and food

dona6ons, and this year, we would

love to rank 1st

or 2nd

in the state!

Please help us accomplish this goal!

Look for more informa6on through-

out the month of March. Thank you

for being a vital force against hun-

ger in our community!

Saturday, April 25

at Word of Peace

All Proceeds will Benefit

CROSS Services

Sign up now at

hGp://bit.ly/1vyVp5n

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

7

Lent is a Chris0an Celebra0on

We are now in the Season of Lent. Lent is a 6me when Chris6ans pre-

pare for Easter by reflec6ng on Jesus Christ's suffering, his sacrifice,

life, death, burial and resurrec6on. The purpose of Lent is self-

examina6on and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial. Some Chris-

6ans use this as a 6me for fas6ng, for others it is a 6me of giving up

something one loves (such as chocolate or coffee) to experience in a

small degree the suffering that Christ experienced.

Of course, we can also give of our 6me, abili6es and finances—what is

commonly referred to as “Stewardship.”

In his suffering and death, Jesus provides the ul6mate stewardship ex-

ample. Right un6l his passing, Jesus consistently looked to connect in-

dividuals with God or individuals with each other. This reaching out

happened in the face of incredible physical pain and what must have

been deep loneliness. Yet, through it all, Jesus reaches out, responding

in love to everyone around him, even his tormentors. This commit-

ment to reach out is an important stewardship response, one we o<en

overlook.

Blessings this Lent,

The Stewardship Team

In last month’s Peace Notes, you

learned that funds for projects in-

volving Scholarship, Ministry and

Outreach would be available in

2015. If interested in applying for

those funds, please do so by no lat-

er than April 1.

In addi6on to the above categories,

the Endowment Fund also has Des-

ignated and Undesignated catego-

ries. A Designated category could

have several sub funds that would

take into considera6on a donor’s

special interest in an area of minis-

try. Senior Ministries, Parish Nurse

Programs, maintenance projects,

Music and Con6nuing Educa6on for

staff are but a few of the many

ways Endowment Funds may be

designated and used.

For more informa6on on the En-

dowment Fund, contact the church

office at 763-496-2400 or visit

wordofpeace.org/endowment.

Via de Cristo Weekend Retreats for Men and Women

Strengthen and renew your faith at a Via de Cristo weekend retreat! Via de Cristo

is a 3-day intensive weekend designed bring Chris6ans to a new awareness of liv-

ing in God’s grace. The next Via de Cristo weekends will be on June 4-7 (for men)

and June 11-14 (for women) at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Fridley. This is a free

retreat* and all meals are included. For more informa6on, pick up a brochure at

the Informa6on Desk, visit www.mnviadecristo.org, or contact Missy Henderson at 763-428-5225 or

missy.henderson@comcast.net.

*Weekends are sponsored by individuals, couples, and congrega>ons in the Via de Cristo community. A free-will

offering will be taken.

8

For more informa>on contact Marcus Eads at 763-496-2410 or meads@woplc.org

wordofpeace.org/middle-school wordofpeace.org/high-school

Youth MinistryYouth MinistryYouth MinistryYouth Ministry

MS/HS

Summer Camps & Programs: There are lots of fun, faith-filled

opportuni6es coming in Summer 2015. Pick up an informa6on

flyer from outside the Youth Ministry Office.

NOTE: The deadline for camp registra6on is Sunday, March 15.

The deadline for Summer Stretch registra6on is Wednesday, May

13.

Summer Stretch June 17-August 12

(Completed grades 5-12)

Family Camp at Luther Crest June 19-21

(All families welcome)

Youth Camp at Luther Dell August 2-7

(Completed grades 6-8)

Senior High Roots Camp at Luther Dell August 2-7

(Completed grades 9-12)

MS

MSM.AM—Sunday, March 15 and 22 from 9:45-10:45am

Food, devo6ons and games in the Youth Room. Friends are al-

ways welcome!

The Lo+ at the Rogers Ac0vity Center, March 5 from 3-5pm

Looking for somewhere to hangout a<er school? Head up to the

2nd level of the Ac6vity Center across from Rogers Middle School

for games and hangout 6me. Concessions available!

HS

Thank You for “taking up the mat!”

At the youth-led worship services on February 8 and 9, we asked

you to take up the mat for our high schoolers aAending the ELCA

Na6onal Youth Gathering this summer. Your response was incred-

ible! Thank you so much for all the generous contribu6ons to our

transporta6on fund. If you missed the opportunity to sponsor our

youth, never fear! You can find the bright orange sponsorship

forms at the Informa6on Desk and return them to the youth

office at any 6me. If you have ques6ons, contact anyone on the

youth staff.

Sunday Morning Bible Study: Sunday, March 15 and 22 from 11-

Noon In the Youth Room—Join Pastor Ashley for food and con-

versa6on. This month we’re talking about the story of Joseph

(you know, the guy with the amazing mul6-colored coat!).

Wednesday Night Youth Connect n the Youth Room! Snacks,

games, prayer, announcements and some 6me to connect with

friends and other high schoolers. All are welcome, 6:45-7:15pm.

Church School & Con�rmation MinistryChurch School & Con�rmation MinistryChurch School & Con�rmation MinistryChurch School & Con�rmation Ministry

Upcoming Youth Events : MS = Middle School | HS = High School

Vaca0on Bible School Registra0on

Begins Sunday, March 8

Mark your summer calendars for June

22-26 for Everest: Conquering Chal-

lenges with God’s Mighty Power

Vaca6on Bible School is for all chil-

dren who have turned four years of

age by June 22 through completed

5th grade. We’re asking you to prayerfully consider signing-up to be

a group leader, room leader, or support person for this fun week! If

you have ques6ons, call Lisa, Megan, or Kris6n in the educa6on

office.

Confirma0on Times Change During Lent— March 4-25

• Early group meets from 5:30-6:45

• Late group meets from 7:00-8:15

All kids will aAend Lenten worship with their small group

The Winter Retreat for 4th

-6th

Graders is March 20-22. Sign up NOW!

See the sign up sheet outside the youth office or contact Marcus at

meads@woplc.org or 763-496-2410.

Important Dates to Remember This Month:

Vaca6on Bible School Registra6on Begins March 8

Food Packing Night (Sign-up by March 3 - see p. 5) March 12

Church School Kids Sing in Worship March 29 & 30

Easter Egg Hunt (Infant-4th graders) March 30

Summer Camp Informa0on

Sign up NOW!

Contact Marcus in the Youth Office or pick up informa6on outside

the Children’s Ministry office.

Family Camp in at Luther Crest in Alexandria June 19-21

Seeds Camp at Wapo in Amery, WI July 31-Aug 2

(kids completed 2nd

and 3rd

grade)

Youth Camp Aug.2-7

(kids completed 4th

and 5th

grade)

(choose either Camp Wapo in Amery, WI or Camp Luther Dell in

Remer, MN)

Youth Camp at Luther Dell in Remer, MN Aug. 2-7

(kids completed 6th

-8th

grade)

9

Thursday Senior Shop Rogers Bus—

Thursdays at 10am, $1.00 per rider. Assis-

tance provided with your groceries. Contact

Judy at 763-428-7657.

Jammers Potluck & Music—Sunday, March

1 from 1-5pm (eat at 4pm) at the Rogers

Community Room (21201 Memorial Drive).

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 advance by 2pm for reserva6ons,

763-428-0976. Cost: 55+ $4.00. Under 55

$5.00.

NEW! Weekly Exercise FLEX Program: Mon-

days from 11am-Noon at the Rogers Com-

munity Room. Free for SilverSneakers mem-

bers: Non-members pay only $1.00 per

class. First class is free. Exercises are geared

towards 55+ but everyone is welcome. No

on-the-floor work. Chairs used as props

with op6on of adjustable wrist/ankle

weights. Call Instructor Lori Schoenborn at

612-636-0207 or Liz at 763-428-0939 with

ques6ons.

AARP Free Income Tax Assistance: For

taxpayers with low and middle income,

persons with disabili6es and those 60 yrs.

and older. Rogers Community Room on

March 16, March 30 and April 6 from

9am- 12pm. Call Liz at 763-428-0939 to

sign up for a 45 minute 6me slot on one of

the offered days. Get a list of what you

need to bring with you when you schedule

your appointment with Liz.

Great Decisions: A Global Conversa0on

Group - approx. 1 hour monthly foreign

policy discussion of important global topics

presented by videos, local expert presen-

ta6ons and group discussions. March 18 at

10am at the Rogers Community Room.

This month’s topic is Energy Independ-

ence. Call Liz 763-428-0939.

Computer Classes at the Rogers Commu-

nity Room—All classes are $19. To regis-

ter, call 763-241-3520 or go online at

www.728communityed.com. Upcoming clas-

ses: Facebook 101 (8009-1P) Wed. April 1,

1:30-3:30pm. TwiGer 101 (8009-3P) Tues.

April 7, 1:30-3:30pm.

The Word of Peace Kids-Care Bus takes

seniors shopping at Ridgedale every other

month. The next trip will be April 14. Cost is

$1.00 for the round trip. The bus starts pick-

ing 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-

le�er, call 763-241-3520. Or, read it online

at Seniors.CityofRogers.org.

CROSS Update

CROSS serves the needs of people in the communi6es of Champlin,

Corcoran, Dayton, Maple Grove, Osseo, and Rogers. Their programs

include:

• Food shelf

• Financial assistance and homelessness preven6on

• Clothes closet

• Meals on Wheels

• School supplies

• Birthday shop

• Christmas toy show

• Senior food shelf deliveries

• Health checks by local doctors

• Weekend food for kids

• Hygiene and food for high school students

• SNAP applica6on

Energy assistance applica6on

• Job search support

• Emergency assistance applica6on

• Medical assistance applica6on

• Vehicle repairs through their transporta6on partner

CROSS UpdateCROSS UpdateCROSS UpdateCROSS Update

SeniorsSeniorsSeniorsSeniors

New CROSS Hours:

Mondays: 9am-4pm

Wednesdays: 9am-7:30pm

Thursdays: 9am-4pm

Fridays: 9am-1pm

Items Needed This Month:

• Cereal

• Shampoo

• Condi6oner

For more informa&on, call CROSS at

763-425-1050.

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

SundaysSundaysSundaysSundays 8:30 a.m. Traditional8:30 a.m. Traditional8:30 a.m. Traditional8:30 a.m. Traditional 9:45 a.m. Blended9:45 a.m. Blended9:45 a.m. Blended9:45 a.m. Blended 11:00 a.m. Contemporary11:00 a.m. Contemporary11:00 a.m. Contemporary11:00 a.m. Contemporary MondaysMondaysMondaysMondays 6:30 p.m. Contemporary6:30 p.m. Contemporary6:30 p.m. Contemporary6:30 p.m. Contemporary

Mark Your Calendars:

MARCH 29 APRIL 2 APRIL 3 APRIL 4/5