COMMUNITY NEWS
~ A Weekly Listing of Mission Opportunities ~
**************************************************************
March 7, 2010
TODAY AT HOUSE OF PRAYER
Flowers donated by:
*Barb Peterson, in honor of Herb's 80th birthday
Bulletin donated by:
* Mike and Pam Murphy, in honor of the 8th birthday of their grandson, Chance Persons
* Barb Peterson, in honor of Herb's 80th birthday.
Sun Current Ad donated by:
* Larry and DeeDee Edlund in honor of the 2nd birthday of their grandson, Oscar Edlund.
* Adult Education - 9:15am in the PARISH HALL --
Going deeper with Lenten theme for the week: Feeling Pain, led by Pastor Anne.
* HAVM PANCAKE & FRENCH TOAST BREAKFAST, 8:00am-1:00pm
Come support the veterans and Boy Scouts in the Fellowship Hall.
Adults: $5, Children 10 and under: $2.
* Card Sales in the Narthex today!
* LUTHER PARK SUNDAY ~
Visit with Joel Legred, from Luther Park Bible Camp, to learn more about summer opportunities!
* INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM, 9:00, SS 1/2
TWIN CITIES GIRLS CHORUS CONCERT, 4:00pm
Today at House of Prayer! A free will offering will benefit the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
* WET WIPES are available outside the sanctuary doors for your use before taking communion.
* Gluten-free communion wafers are available for those with allergies. Ask the Communion Assistant
for a wafer from the middle of the plate. Grape juice is also available for those who prefer
it to wine.
Notes from Sunday, February 28 ~ 343 worshipped. Offering (Plate and Simply Giving) was $5071. Thank you for your faithful stewardship of your financial resources. 2010 Giving Envelopes can be picked up this morning in the Narthex. If you don't see your name, please contact Margaret Novak in the office, 612-866-8471 ext.208.
__________________________________________________________THIS WEEK (MARCH 8-15) AT HOUSE OF PRAYER
Wednesday, March 10 - Simple Supper, 5:30pm. Soup from HoP members!
God Squad, 6:00pm. We are beginning our study of Revelation!
Music School 6:30pm.
Holden Evening Prayer, 7:00pm.
Lenten Small Groups, 7:45pm.
Thursday, March 11 - Retired Men's Breakfast, 9:00am.
Friday, March 12 thru Sunday, March 14 - Confirmation Retreat, 5:30pm
March 2 was the last day for Stefanie
Fiser as our Administrative Assistant. She has
resigned the administrative position so she can
focus more fully on her teaching career. She
will be continuing as our Associate Director of
Music and director of the children's choirs.
We thank her for her talents and partnership;
it's been a joy to be working with her.
Cammy Carteng, who served as our Interim
Administrative Assistant last summer and who
has been in the office on Fridays, will be our
Administrative Assistant going forward. Her
hours will be Monday through Thursday,
9:00am-3:30pm and Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm
Fridays. We extend a warm welcome to
Cammy; she will begin March 3.
See the weekly calendar in the Bulletin or the full Monthly Calendar for scheduled events.
Do you have a submission for the Community News? Call 612-866-8471 x207 or email your entry by Monday to the office.
______________________________________________________________UPCOMING EVENTS AT HOUSE OF PRAYER
* Sunday, March 14 - Twin Cities Masters Chorale Concert, 4:00pm.
* Friday-Sunday, March 19-21 - Women's Retreat
* Saturday, March 20 - Minnesota BoyChoir Concert, 7:30pm.
* Wednesday, March 24 - Congregational Potluck Dinner, 6:00pm. See details inside.
See the weekly calendar in the Bulletin or the full Monthly Calendar for scheduled events.
Reminder ~ If your House of Prayer group would like to reserve a room for a meeting or activity, please fill out a blue Building Use Form (Blue Sheet.) They are available in the office or online. Thank you.
Building Use ~
As a courtesy to Ramo and all who use the
spaces of House of Prayer for meetings and
rehearsals, PLEASE fill out a blue Building
Use Request form from the office to schedule
ANY event taking place at HoP. Thanks!
MINISTRY TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS AT HOUSE OF PRAYER
Support Ministry Team
Error on Statements~ There was an error on the year-end statements you have just received. The bottom line that says pledge should not be there. It was put there by mistake. Please disregard that line. I am sorry if this error has caused you any problems. Please call with any questions. ~Margaret Novak, Bookkeeper.
A special thanks to the individuals that have given generous gifts to the current Building and Property projects and also to the House of Prayer Foundation for their generous gift and to the estate of Judy Benson Lang. The side walk on the north side of the building has been replaced, the exit lighting will be completed this week, the north parking lot cracks and sealing is being scheduled and the roof repair is being scheduled. Thank you, thank you, thank you...!
_______________________________________________________Outreach Ministry Team
Loaves and Fishes ~ House of Prayer will be preparing and serving the meal for L&F on Tuesday, April 6. We expect to feed around 120 hungry souls. Many hands make the job easier. Please consider signing up at the information desk in the Narthex for one of the time slots on the 6th that's most convenient for you.
Loaves and Fishes' Richfield serving location is Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Av S -- close to HoP!). Each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening L&F volunteers serve a hot meal at 5:00 PM to anyone in need of that service (no questions asked). If you know anyone that might be interested encourage them to attend.
With careful planning we keep the ingredient costs for our meal to under $2.00 per person. If you can't help that evening, you might also consider contributing funds for a meal(s) -- (make checks payable to HOPE fund c/o Loaves and Fishes). Contact Pastor Chuck, Mike Murphy or any member of the Outreach Ministry Team for more information.
Simpson Shelter ~ House of Prayer serves the homeless on the second Tuesday of every month. The time commitment is about 3.5 hours. If you would like to be a part of this outreach ministry, contact Karen Steenson.
VEAP Request - The VEAP Food Pantry is in need of the following items: baby wipes, diapers, facial tissue, laundry soap, paper towels, shampoo, toilet paper, and toothpaste.
Homebound Ministry ~ We are seeking volunteers for House of Prayer's Homebound Ministry. If you are interested in this ministry, please sign up at the Information Desk or call Linda Lund or Donna Price.
Opportunities include:
1) Making monthly personal visits to people who are confined to their homes or apartments, as well as those who live in longterm care and assisted living facilities, and bringing them Communion.
2) Making phone calls to people who are temporarily confined to their homes or apartments because of illness, injury etc.
3) Being on the phone or email prayer chain.
Worship Ministry Team
Flower Delivery ~ Each week we send our Altar Flowers to the home of one of our members who was unable to come to church. We are looking for more volunteers who would like to visit these members and bring them flowers== a long standing ministry at House of Prayer. Please contact Ilene Holen or Stefanie Fiser if you are interested in joining this team for 2010!
Would you like to serve the sacraments to the people of House of Prayer? Please contact Annette Bray or Stefanie Fiser if you would like to help serve Communion. We are espe- cially looking for 8:00am servers.
__________________________________________________________Evangelism Ministry Team
Information Desk ~ We are looking for a few helpers to staff the Information Desk on Sunday mornings. If you have any interest in helping, please contact Sally Boyd.
Help Others Come to Church! ~ Steve Pierson has faithfully driveon our HoP bus on Sunday mornings. We're looking for more volunteers to drive the bus to bring people to worship. Please contact Steve or Pastor Chuck if you would like to learn to drive the HoP bus.
____________________________________________________________Adult Ministries
Wednesday Night Lenten Adult Bible Study ~ During Lent we will be reading portions of the book "An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith" by Barbara Brown Taylor. Consider purchasing the book from your favorite local or online bookseller.
Sunday Morning Adult Education ~ (9:15 - 10:15 am in the Parish Hall)
Throughout Lent - Bible Study led by the pastors
Bible Study at Home ~ If a Lenten Bible study doesn't fit into your schedule, create your own Bible study with a book or two from our church library. We have hundreds of books on the Bible, the Lutheran church, devotions, the life of Christ, and many other topics to enrich your Lenten journey. Stop in some time or browse our online catalog at www.librarything.com/catalog/houseofprayer to find books you might like!
Book Discussion Group ~ On March 4th at 7pm we will be discussing "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of Dr. Paul Farmer, the United Nations deputy special envoy to Haiti. All are welcome!
Lectionary Bible Study is held on Thursdays from 9:30 -11:30 AM. All ages are welcome to this weekly study which meets in the Fireside Conference Room. Contact Pastors Anne or Chuck for more information.
"Bring Your Own Coffee Cup or Water Mug to Church" Initiative This will help save some styrofoam from going into the landfill and will also save our congregation money. What an easy way to leave your green footprint here at HoP. Don't forget to bring your mug next Sunday (and for the folowing Sundays.)
Weekly GREEN Tip: Generating enough electricity to cook for an hour in a standard electric oven creates 2.7 pounds of carbon dioxide. Here's a list of what can do it for less: toaster oven, 1.3 pounds over 50 minutes; slow cooker, 0.9 pounds over seven hours; and microwave, 0.5 pounds over 15 minutes.
___________________________________________________________Youth and Family Ministry Team
Luther Park Summer Staff Positions ~ Interviews are underway for college-age assistant program directors, kitchen staff, counselors and outpost staff. For more information contact Luther Park at (715) 656-7244, email anna@lutherpark.com or go to our Web site: www.lutherpark.com.
Sign up now for Summer Camp at Luther Park! ~ For the best selection of dates, now is the time to sign up for summer camp. Bring a friend or come by yourself and make new friends. To receive a brochure, check at your church or contact Anna Treague, Program Director at (715) 656-7244, or anna@lutherpark.com . You can also register on-line or print out and fax or mail a registration form via our Web site www.lutherpark.com . Hope to see you at Luther Park this summer!!
Sunday Morning Spark ~ Sign up to help with Sunday morning SPARK!. You can volunteer to lead the cooking station, computer lab, drama, science, Bible games, art, music or video. Lead once, twice, or for the entire year! Talk to Kristin or sign up by the information desk if you're interested!
Music School meets on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 pm!! All elementary-aged children, Kindergarten through Fifth Grade, are invited to spend Wednesday evenings at House of Prayer learning songs, making crafts, and paricipating in activites and games.
God Squad - Wednesdays from 6 - 8:30 pm ~ We will be studying the book of Revelation during Lent. Please join us in the youth room from 6-6:45pm every Wednesday in Lent. We will worship together at 7pm with the Holden Evening Prayer service in the sanctuary.
Mission Trip: Senior High Mission Trip registration
forms and deposits due on Sunday,
March 7. All youth grades 8-12 are invited
to join us on our mission trip this summer!
We will be heading to Buffalo NY this summer
from July 31 - August 7 to work with Habitat for
Humanity. The cost for the trip is $325 per
person, but there will be a lot of opportunities
to fundraise the cost!
The registration interest
form and $50 deposit is due next Sunday!!
Forms are available on the youth bulletin
board. Please contact Laura Gorton or Kristin
with any questions.
Thank you to everyone who helped with and attended the 2nd annual Valentine's Dinner and Silent Auction. We were able to raise over $1,100 dollars towards our mission trip to Buffalo this summer. Thanks especially to Mujo, our esteemed chef, and everyone who donated a basket towards the Silent Auction.
GOD SQUAD Rent-A-Youth ~ Have a task that needs extra hands? Some spring cleaning to be done? Just fill out a Rent-A-Youth request form and we'll do it for you! Fill out the form available at the information desk, place in the basket, and Laura will contact you about your request. All it costs you is a free-will donation!
____________________________________________________________Heritage Team Remembers:
The Heritage Team has created a new display located in the narthex with the current Lenten topic using Barbara Brown Taylor's book, "An Altar in the World." Check out the photographs of House of Prayer altars and the January 1963 write-up of our Mankato stone altar from the Hi-Lines. We have asked, and so far no one has been able to tell us, what was used as the altar at the beginning of House of Prayer when services were held in the hallway at Elliot School in 1953 to 1955. Do you know or could you tell us? Please leave a note in the Heritage Team box in the church office or contact Darlene Clauson if you can answer
___________________________________________________________Life Together
Lenten Supper Soup Smorgasbord! ~ Have you discovered a new soup recipe or pulled out an old tried-and-true favorite this winter? Consider sharing it with the people of HoP at Lenten Mid-Week Suppers in February and March. We are looking for 7-8 volunteers per week to make just one crock pot of soup for our Wednesday suppers together. SIGN UP in the Narthex today, or contact Shari
Congregational Potluck Dinner & Ministry Team Presentations ~
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Congregational Potluck Dinner on Wednesday, March 24, at 5:30. Come for food, fellowship and the opportunity to hear the ministry teams share their visions for ministry at HOP in 2010. Hear what priorities each team will be focusing on as they work together to accomplish God’s purpose and mission for us.
Please bring a dish to share! You are asked to bring a salad, main dish, or dessert based alphabetically by your last name.
A through F - salad (any type)
G through P - main dish
P through Z - desserts
Stop by the Information Desk and sign up!
Chili Cook-Off a Success! Thank you to everyone who came to the First Annual House of Prayer Chili Cook-Off! It was a great night with great food! Thank you to all ten entries in the cook-off, and a special congratulations to 3rd place winner Cara Wright, 2nd place winner Blake Wengenroth, and 1st place winner Cory Tranby! If you missed out on Cory's spicy chili, you can try some at the Congregational Dinner on March 24th at 6:15pm!
Looking Ahead: Intergenerational Event!
The Dead Sea Scrolls are at the Science
Museum of Minnesota! Please join us on
Sunday, April 18 in an outing to go see the
Dead Sea Scrolls. The cost of the event
could be $24-$34, depending on the size of
the group and which activities we choose to
do.
There will be an information session
about the Dead Sea Scrolls during the Adult
Education hour on April 18. Please sign up
at the table located in the Narthex. Contact
Laura Gorton with any questions.
Prayer Shawl Knitting Circles ~
There are two opportunities for needle workers
to gather to knit and crochet and share stories.
Both knitting circles will meet in the
Narthex.
All are welcome. If you'd like to learn to knit
or crochet, we have people willing to teach
you the basics. We have yarn and needles
available.
We are currently in need of light colored
prayer shawls, prayer animals, and ideas for
the Fall Festival.
Twin Cities Girls Chorus ~ Join us in welcoming the Twin Cities Girls Chorus to House of Prayer! These 1st-10th grade girls under the direction of Kristi Billings and Stefanie Fiser will share their music in worship at both services on Sunday, February 28. Then on Sunday, March 7 they will be joined by guest soloist Meghan Sherer for their 3rd Annual Peace Concert at HoP at 4pm. A free-will offering will support the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Bring the whole family to this kid-friendly concert! For more details contact Stefanie in the church office at 612-866- 8471 ext. 214 or visit www.tcgchorus.org.
TWIN CITIES MASTERS CHORALE directed by Kenneth Fenton, announces their Winter/Spring Concerts for 2010 as follows:
March 14, 4pm, House of Prayer. Richfield
March 28, Richfield United Methodist Church
April 11, Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park.
All concerts are free of charge. For more information, call 763 657 7069 or check out their website at:
twincitiesmasterschorale.org.
Computer Lab? ~
Did you know that HoP has a computer
lab?! Well we do! It's located at the southwest
corner of the education hallway in the
old nurse's office. There are six computers
with internet and Microsoft Office applications.
The lab can be checked out by HoP
members for HoP group meetings or gatherings.
Use the blue Building Use Request
Form in the office to reserve the computer
lab for your next brainstorming session or
planning meeting!
Richfield Towers Parking Lot Information ~ The management of the Richfield Towers is strictly enforcing a new parking policy. As you visit family, friends or HoP members, please be aware that you will be towed if you are parked in the lot without a visitor's parking pass, which is available in the manager's office. (Towings costs are between $180-300). The management recommends using street parking as available. Our frinds who live in the Towers want us to know as they deeply appreciate our visits and care.
Calling House of Prayer Women! If you are part of a small group at HoP, start talking to the other gals about the Retreat March 19-21, 2010. We will try to register you with your group for bunk mates! We are hoping for a wonderful turnout.
Thank Yous!
Thank the HoP congregation for the
prayers, condolences, and memorials for my
son, David Eriksen, who died February 9,
2010. ~ Jack Eriksen
Marge and I would like to thank all of our
friends for the prayers, cards and concern during
these last few months. It is impossible to
express the comfort that your support gave us
during our journey with cancer. We are looking
forward to joining you in a month or so.
~Marge and Dayle Erickson
Thank you to Pastor Chuck and Pastor Anne
for visiting me and thanks to all who sent
cards, visited, and called while I was in for
knee surgery. Thank you for your prayers.
~Jane Syverson
Thank you to Bret Brookins for painting the
Nursery and thank you to Gil Frosig and Jim
Anderson for painting the New Conference
Room in the office. Stop in and see the fresh
coats!
Facebook! ~ Do you belong to the House of Prayer Group? Join us on Facebook, a social network of all sorts of people. Our church has a group on Facebook and it is a way for us to interact and share the good news about our faith community and all that God is up to among us. Pastor Anne and Kristin Tranby are the administers of our page. Share the Good News! Spread the word about House of Prayer on-line!
WANT TO JOIN OTHER HoP MEMBERS IN A PASSION PLAY TOUR? ~ If you are interested in joining other House of Prayer members in a tour to East Central Europe and the Oberammergau Passion Play from June 14-23, 2010, please contact Kate Peer, President of Group Travel Directors. Her phone number is: 952-885-2134. Her email is: Kpeer@gtd.org. Please remember that the Passion Play is only presented every ten years, and the next one will be in 2020.
Fellowship Opportunity If you are looking to meet more people at HoP and develop deeper relationships, we have the answer for you! Fellowship Groups are people who gather on a monthly basis for social and/or service project events. All are welcome! No special talents required, just a desire to connect with others. There are groups of all ages, so please feel free to contact Jim and Heidi Thomas to find out how to get connected.
HoP wants to support and pray for our military personnel and their families. If you have any changes or additions you would like to make to our military board, please leave the information in the military box in the church office or call Debbie Wessman to keep our board current. Thank you to all who are serving our country in the military.
__________________________________________________________BEYOND HOUSE OF PRAYER
Moms Night Out ~ sponsored by Burnsville Faith Covenant Group will be held on March 13. Enjoy author/speaker Karen Hossink on "Confessions of an Irritable Mother." Tickets are $5.00 in advance. Contact Carrie Brookins or email your request to faithmops@gmail.com.
FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED FOR KIDS ~ Would you like to make a difference in the life of a child? Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is looking for caring individuals and couples who can be foster parents to young children and teens. Ideal foster parents have compassion for kids and are open to caring for children from different backgrounds. Professional training and ongoing support is provided, along with monthly, non-taxable income. If you can open your home and your heart to a child, please call Cassie Zonnefeld at Lutheran Social Service at 612-879-5219.
Host Families Needed!
Open your heart and home for five weeks
this summer to a 10- or 11-year old child
from the Children's Program of Northern Ireland.
Over 4000 Catholic and Protestant girls
and boys from Belfast and surrounding communities
have experienced the hospitality of
families like yours throughout the program's
37 years of operation. Children selected to
participate in the program this summer will
arrive in the Twin Cities on June 29, 2010 and
depart with a lifetime of memories and friendships
on August 3.
Call 651-405-1108 or check out
our website to find out how your
family can participate in this remarkable program.