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

JANUARY 2014JANUARY 2014JANUARY 2014JANUARY 2014

Word of Peace Welcomes

Pastor Keith Long and His Family

We are very excited to welcome Pastor Keith Long to his ministry

as Pastor of Congrega�onal Life and Growth. He and his wife, Re-

becca, and their two children, Natalie (age 3) and Andrew (age 1)

are moving to Rogers on New Year’s Eve and Pastor Keith will

begin his first day on January 5.

Pastor Keith grew up in St. Anthony Park Village and felt his first

call to ministry as early as confirma�on. He knew he wanted to be

in ministry someday when he worked as a camp counselor for two

summers at Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp in New London, MN.

A5er college, he spent 7 years soul-searching through various vo-

ca�ons un�l the Holy Spirit’s nudge to go to seminary became too

obvious to ignore.

When asked what he likes about being a pastor, Pastor Keith said, “I enjoy how all of our stories interconnect with God's story -

and that my job is to weave them all together. I enjoy asking and exploring the deep ques�ons of our life with God. I enjoy

ge<ng to know people of all ages and having the privilege of walking in faith alongside them in all of our seasons of life.”

Pastor Keith comes to us from Big Bend Lutheran Church, a 135 year-old congrega�on located in west-central Minnesota.

When he was asked what he was most excited about in coming to Word of Peace, he said, “There are so many things!” He is

really excited to do more teaching and small group ministry. “This will be a big leap of faith for me, as I’ve never worked in a

se<ng this vibrant, dynamic or growing before. And given the enormous amount of support and encouragement already given

me through the call commi@ee and pastors, I am beyond excited to jump in and learn more about you and let the Spirit take us

on an adventure together.”

If energy and �me allows a5er being husband, daddy and pastor, Pastor Keith uses it to

run, hunt, fish, camp, follow baseball, read, and blog. He also enjoys music, theatre and

film, and hanging out with family and friends.

Pastor Keith is a self-proclaimed “open book” that anyone is welcome to read, and no

ques�on is off limits. He is a kid at heart and he finds great sa�sfac�on in making people

laugh. “And if you can’t find humor in religion and the church, then we are the most to

be pi�ed.” Pastor Keith is constantly thinking, dreaming up ideas and crea�ng. Since he

majored in filmmaking in college he warns us to be prepared for excessive movie

quo�ng and video crea�on. He is indebted to his many faith mentors over the years,

whose wisdom, guidance and love for Jesus have profoundly shaped his passion as a

pastor. “They con�nue to serve as members of my ‘great cloud of witnesses.’ (Hebrews

12:1), and I cannot describe how eager and hopeful I am to serve as a member of your

‘great cloud of witnesses’ in 2015 and beyond.”

Pastor Keith’s

Installa�on and

Meet & Greets

Pastor John Hulden, Assistant

to the Bishop of the Minneapolis

Area Synod, will install Pastor

Keith Long as Pastor of Congrega-

�onal Life and Growth on Sunday,

January 25 at all worship servi-

ces.

See inside for a list of

Meet & Greet oppor-

tuni�es this month.

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 devo�on,

• Share Christ through word

and deed,

• Care for others and the world

God made, and

• Work for jus�ce and peace.

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

Contact Jennie Priebe at

763-496-2401 or

jpriebe@woplc.org.

February newsle�er deadline:

January 16

WordofPeace.org

Sermons

& Readings

January 4 & 5

Pastor Krista Strum, Jesus is in the Neighborhood!

Jesus, the Word became Flesh and walked among the neighborhoods,

radically changing lives with words and deeds full of grace and truth. As

Chris�ans, we are called to let the light of Christ shine and work through

our lives, in our families and in our neighborhoods.

Scripture Readings: John 1:[1-9] 10-18; Ephesians 1:3-4; Psalm 147:12-

20; Jeremiah 31:7-14

January 11 & 12

Pastor Keith Long, Torn Apart for Good

Usually destruc�on is a bad thing. But through Jesus Christ, the Holy

Spirit breaks open, knocks down and tears apart, changing everything

for good.

Scripture Readings: Mark 1:4-11; Acts 19:1-7; Genesis 1:1-5

January 18 & 19

Pastor Keith Long, Perfectly Imperfect

Fearfully and wonderfully made, tougher than Ford tough, with be@er

ingredients than Papa John’s, and with more strengths and weaknesses

than the Minnesota professional sports teams of all �me combined.

Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John

1:43-51

January 25 & 26

Pastor Rick Skare, We Have a Job To Do

In the midst of trials and triumphs, God calls us to do God’s work. Some-

�mes the results can be unbelievable and unexpected.

Scripture Readings: Jonah 3:1-5,10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-

31; Mark 1:14-20

3

Annual Congrega�onal Mee�ng

January 25—12:00 Noon

The Word of Peace Annual Congrega�onal Mee�ng will

be held on Sunday, January 25 commencing at 12:00

Noon. It is important to a@end this mee�ng because the

agenda includes the opportunity to:

• Elect the leadership of the church

• Hear about the vision and mission of

Word of Peace

• Vote on the proposed General Fund

budget for 2015.

Childcare is provided for all ages (0-3 years in the nursery

and older kids in the youth room). Vo�ng is permi@ed by

confirmed members only. Please check with the church

office if you are unsure of your membership status.

Opportuni�es

to Meet Pastor Keith

Sunday, January 11 & 18

Before and a5er worship services

(Pastor Keith will be preaching)

Monday, January 12 & 19

5:30-6:30pm during Monday Night Meal

7:30pm a5er worship service

Tuesday, January 13

6:00-6:30pm before All-Ministry

Team mee�ng

Wednesday, January 14

5:00-5:30pm and 7:15-8:00pm

Before and a5er confirma�on

Monday, January 26

7:30-9:00pm Meet and Greet

at Fireside Grill & Pub in Rogers

(Includes some hymn singing too!)

HappeningsHappeningsHappeningsHappenings

Thank You, Pastor Ashley!

We thank Pastor Ashley for her dedicat-

ed service and ministry to us as we have

awaited Pastor Keith’s arrival. Pastor

Ashley has served Word of Peace for the

past three months, sharing in the minis-

tries of leading worship, preaching, visit-

a�on, Bible study, children’s ministry,

working with the Life & Growth Team,

etc.

We will have an opportunity during and

a5er the worship services on January 4

to thank her and sending her off with our

blessings. Pastor Ashley is awai�ng a Call

to serve a church in the Minneapolis/St.

Paul area.

Kids Against Hunger

Food Packing Night

at Word of Peace

You and your family are in-

vited to Word of Peace on

Thursday, March 12 from

6:30-8:30 pm to pack food

kits for Kids Against Hun-

ger. Last year we packed

over 12,000 meals!

This is a great way to educate kids about hunger and how

they can be part of the solu�on to end hunger. All ages

are welcome! We ask that any child eight years and

younger have a parent present with them for one on one

help on the foot kit line.

We ask that each family provide a $25 dona�on that will

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

the Children’s and Confirma�on Ministry office beginning

February 8.

Contact Kris�n Skare at kskare@woplc.org/(763)496-

2404 or Megan Moen at mmoen@woplc.org/(763)496-

2423 with your ques�ons.

4

HappeningsHappeningsHappeningsHappenings

Embracing the Journey: A Path through Grief and Loss Sundays | January 18 - March 8

6:00pm Dinner (free-will offering)

6:30-8:30pm Class

We have lost loved ones. We have lost pets. Some of us have suffered from trauma that

has torn apart our definition of life. Others have been given a diagnosis of a physical or

mental illness that has taken away our dreams and our identity. Some of us have lost jobs,

homes or other things of value. Some losses are hard to define. But there is one truth we

can be sure of; we are not alone.

This course is an 8-week journey through grief and loss. Through the use of artwork, poet-

ry and other mediums we will put words and images to our experiences. We will look at

the Psalms to reconnect us to God and God’s people who grieve with us. Grief is a journey

from sorrow to joy. When we walk through it together we can support one another.

Topics We Will Explore:

LIFE TOGETHER • TRAUMA OF LOSS • EXPERIENCING THE LOSS • RECOGNIZING THE REALITY OF LOSS

EXPERIENCING THE EMOTION OF LOSS • EXPRESSING THE EMOTION OF LOSS • REINVESTING IN LIFE

MAKING NEW MEANING • STEPPING INTO LIFE ANEW

Please register by January 11. Registra�on forms are available at the Informa�on Desk and online at wordofpeace.org/

journey. There is a $15 fee to cover the cost of the workbook.

Topics We Will Explore…

• WHO IS JESUS?

• WHY DID JESUS DIE?

• HOW CAN I BE SURE OF MY FAITH?

• WHY & HOW SHOULD I READ THE BIBLE?

• WHY AND HOW DO I PRAY?

• HOW DOES GOD GUIDE US?

• WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

• HOW CAN I BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?

• HOW CAN I RESIST EVIL?

Am I good

enough?

Have I made the

right decision?

Is

there

more

to life

than

this?

Alpha is a prac�cal explora�on of the Chris�an

faith and gives everyone the opportunity to ex-

plore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly

se<ng.

Alpha meets once a week for 9 weeks. Sessions

begin with an informal dinner, followed by video

presenta�on and �me to discuss what's been

taught.

Everyone is welcome at Alpha. Alpha is for people

from all backgrounds and perspec�ves. It’s perfect

for those looking for “more,” even if you’re not

sure what that “more” is.

If you’re wondering if Alpha is right for you, contact Pastor Rick at 763-

496-2400 or pastorrick@woplc.org.

Please register by January 11. Registra�on forms are available at the Infor-

ma�on Desk and online at wordofpeace.org/alpha. There is a $5 fee to cov-

er the cost of the workbook.

The Alpha Course Sundays | January 18 - March 22 (no class on Feb. 1)

6:00-6:30pm Dinner

6:30-7:30pm Presenta�on

7:30-8:30pm Small Groups

Alpha

5

THANK YOU!

Thank You to our 361 Confirma�on Kids!

Just since September, our Confirma�on kids have been busy serving and

learning! They have:

• Made 1000 sandwiches for 365 days.org

• Donated over 30 Opera�ons Christmas Child shoe boxes

• Made 370 cookies and sent 13 care packages to the military

• Donated 300 bars of soap and 121 Christmas Stockings to CROSS • Filled 400 packing spots (1.5 hours each) at Feed My Starving Children.

111 9th grade Confirma�on students will affirm their bap�sms on Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12. Please

pray for these young people as they enter into their faith lives as adults in the church.

Adopt-A-Family 2014:

Thank You for your Generous GiCs!

Thank you for your contribu�ons and service to the Adopt-A-

Family program. The outpouring of love and care was over-

whelming and humbling. It is inspiring to see our church giv-

ing, loving and showing Christ’s love in such a beau�ful way.

Happy New Year and blessingsto you all!

Tracy Rowe

Volunteer Coordinator

Thank You to our Christmas Musicians

and Worship Volunteers!

Happy New Year to All! May it be blessed with all

good things. Thank you to all who helped make our

Christmas worship celebra�ons at Word of Peace.

We were the Body of Christ this year because of you

and your par�cipa�on.

All choirs will begin prac�cing again on January 12.

Michael Sahlen

Minister of Worship & Music

Thank You for Your Feedback!

Thank you very much to those of you who completed the

worship survey in December. We have heard from nearly

300 worshippers and we appreciate every one of your re-

sponses! If you haven’t had a chance to take the survey,

please take three minutes to do so at wordofpeace.org/

survey. Paper copies are available at the Informa�on Desk.

Your valuable feedback about what we are doing well and

what improvements can be made will be considered when

determining the future plans for worship at Word of Peace.

It’s All About

WORSHIP

6

Mark Your CalendarsMark Your CalendarsMark Your CalendarsMark Your Calendars

Coming This Lent…

One of the most �me honored tradi�ons of the Chris�an church are the 40 days of prepara-

�on before Easter called Lent. During the five Wednesdays leading up to Holy Week, Word

of Peace hosts two evening worship services complete with the Holden Evening Prayer litur-

gy, dramas, hands-on worship experiences and a meal every Wednesday night beginning

February 25.

This year our drama series will follow the children’s books wri@en by Max Lucado and the

much loved story of Punchinello and the Wemmicks of Wemmickville. The five plays will

need many volunteers and actors to make this happen. Please prayerfully consider being a part of this amazing tra-

di�on. We are looking for three main characters for all six weeks, plus an addi�onal thirteen actors each week. Re-

hearsals begin the end of January. Contact Dain Swanson dswanson@woplc.org 763-496-2409.

Chris�an Duo Lost and Found

is Coming to Word of Peace! Sunday, February 8 | 6:00pm

Join us for a concert that is so Lutheran you

will start speaking German!

Lost and Found is na�onally-known and award

-winning duo, Michael Bridges and George

Baum. The duo has been traveling around the

world performing concerts of their original

music and making friends in the process since

they were in high school.

Described as “acous�c thrash,” Lost and

Found’s music style is organic and fun and the

lyrics comment on life, faith, travel, friends

and rela�onships. Their concerts are interac-

�ve, driven by the audience, and each show is

different. They are always spontaneous, im-

provisa�onal and musical, o5en poignant, and

occasionally funny.

If you haven’t seen Lost and Found this is your

chance. And if you have, you’ll want to see

them again one last �me!

Free-Will Dona�on—All profits will go to

CROSS Food Shelf.

Contact: Dain Swanson at 763-496-2409 or

dswanson@woplc.org

WWW.SPEEDWOOD.COM

7

I Am Grateful by Jerry Hoffman

A number of years ago, although I was serving a good sup-

por>ve congrega>on, I was not contented. Instead I was disap-

pointed that I had not been chosen for a new posi>on. During

that period I began to earnestly live with Paul's le�er to the

Philippians. Paul is in prison. His future was dim. And yet

among other important faith professions in that le�er, he

wrote "I have learned to be content

with whatever I have" and "Rejoice in the Lord always!"

I prayed for Paul's outlook. I wondered about how I could daily possess that perspec>ve. I became aware that when

someone asked me how I was, my standard remark was "I am good.”

Here is a simple change that I could make that would help me remember Paul's perspec>ve. From then on I endeavor

that when someone asks me, “How are you?" I will respond by saying "I am grateful."

I need to add, that it is not that I am always grateful. It is more a prayer, "God help me in all circumstances to be

grateful." It is a public confession in a simple way to remember that in my bap>sm, I am called to be steward of the

mysteries of God. It is God who has entrusted everything I have and am. I am not en>tled to the life, wife, family,

church, >me, talent, money and opportuni>es for which God has entrusted me to steward.

This is an excerpt of a le@er from Jerry Hoffman at Luther Seminary about being grateful to God for the blessings we

have been given. As we start a new year it is good to remember all that we have, to be thankful for all that we have

and to remember that all we have is from God.

As we start 2015 at Word of Peace we have many things to be thankful for in our church. Two examples are that we

have a ministry that is growing in numbers (which offers new ways to serve internally) and growing in outreach to our

community (new ways to serve externally). If you currently do not have a favorite outreach program or volunteer

opportunity that you lend your �me and talents to, look around un�l you find one that speaks to you and then join

in! We frequently hear from folks a5er they have been involved that they get much more out of the experience than

they put into it, which is a gi5 from God.

Look for opportuni�es to serve at your church at wordofpeace.org/serve or at the Volunteer Desk in the Gathering

Area. Gods work, our hands.

We thank God for you and your con�nued giving!

The Stewardship Team

A New Sunday Morning Study Begins January 11

2015 will be here before we know it! Because of this, we want to give you a heads up on ways that you can study

the Bible and grow in faith in the new year.

For six weeks, January 11-February 15, we’ll be digging deep into the book of Ephesians through a study en�tled

“God’s Extraordinary Church: Readings in Ephesians.” The le@er to the people in Ephesus uses the word “church”

more �mes than any other book in the Bible. Together we’ll explore how God is building a transforma�ve church

that is rooted in love through Jesus and through us.

Come join in the learning and the conversa�on, Sundays at 9:45am in Room 120!

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: MSM.AM meets on

Sunday, January 4 & 8 in

the Youth Room for

food, devo�ons and

games. Invite some

friends along!

MS: The LoC at the Rog-

ers Ac�vity Center (RAC)

is on Thursday, Decem-

ber 11—Concessions,

games and hangout

�me with friends!

MS: The LoC BIG Event:

Glow ‘n Skate at the

Rogers Ac�vity Center!

Jan. 24 from 9:30-11pm.

Admission is $3 at the

door. Bring your own ice

skates or rent a pair for

$5 more.

MS/HS: Camp Sunday is

Jan. 25. Parents and

youth, a@end a special

Summer Camp 101 info.

session in the Brekke

Room during the 9:45 or

11:00 service to learn

about all the great op-

portuni�es available this

summer!

Preschool, Church School & Con�rmationPreschool, Church School & Con�rmationPreschool, Church School & Con�rmationPreschool, Church School & Con�rmation

Kids of Peace Preschool is a place where faith and

learning grow, and we would love to have your pre-

schooler be a part of our school year! Kids of Peace

serves children ages 33 months (must be po@y trained)

through 5+ years. Enrollment for the fall of 2015/16

opens for all Word of Peace families and currently en-

rolled preschool families on January 20. Registra�on for

families from Rogers and surrounding communi�es

opens on February 2.

For more informa�on about Kids of Peace Preschool

contact Julie Piccona@o, Preschool Director, at 763-

496-2419 or jpiccona�o@woplc.org.

Kids of Peace Preschool

Enrollment Opens

January 20 for the

2015-2016 School Year

Church School Classes Resume Sunday,

January 11 and Monday, January 12

Second through Eighth Graders:

Mark your calendar now to a@end our summer Bible

camp informa�onal sessions on Sunday, January 25 at

9:45 or 11:00am in the Brekke Room.

Summer camp provides kids with a week of fun, faith,

and friends. We offer camp op�ons for families, week-

end camps for second and third graders, and week long

camps for fourth through eighth graders.

We will have representa�ves from Camp Wapogasset

and Luther Dell Bible camps as well as church staff to

provide informa�on and answers your ques�ons about

the summer camp experience.

Registra�on informa�on and materials will be available

and open at this �me. Ques�ons? Contact Marcus at

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

Dear Families of High School Youth,

It is with deep sadness to announce that I will be leaving my posi>on

at Word of Peace as the High School Youth Minister to go back to

school for Elementary Educa>on. I want to thank all of you for leHng

me get to know you and your high schoolers during the year and a

half that I have spent here. I have had some extremely fun and re-

warding experiences through Bible Studies, trips to Valleyfair and

Welch Village, mission trips, and retreats with the high school and

middle school youth! You all are very lucky to have such a suppor>ve,

welcoming, and AMAZING church!

My last official day as a staff member will be January 11, finishing

with the 9th grade Confirma>on services. My classes start the next

day! While I will not be on staff, I will s>ll be volunteering my >me at

Word of Peace. I pray that you will find someone to fill this posi>on

who will bless this church as much as all of you have blessed me.

Again, thank you all for allowing me and trus>ng me to work with

your kids. It has meant so much to me.

Sincerely,

Kate Gantz

Upcoming Youth Events

MS = Middle School | HS = High School

9

Thursday Senior Shop Rogers Bus—

Thursdays at 10am, $1.00 per rider.

Assistance provided with your grocer-

ies. Contact Judy at 763-428-7657.

Jammers Potluck & Music—Sunday,

1/4 from 1-5pm (eat at 4pm) at Day-

ton Senior Center, 18461 Dayton St.

(Dec. only) Bring a dish to share. Con-

tact 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 reserva�ons, 763-

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

$5.00.

NEW! Weekly Exercise Program:

Mondays star�ng January 5th from

11am-Noon at the Rogers Community

Room. Free for SilverSneakers mem-

bers: Non-members pay only $1.00

per class. First class is free. Exercises

SeniorsSeniorsSeniorsSeniors

are geared towards 55+ but everyone

is welcome. No on-the-floor work.

Chairs used as props with op�on of

adjustable wrist/ankle weights. Call

Instructor Lori Schoenborn at 612-636

-0207 or Liz at 763-428-0939 with

ques�ons.

Free Bus trip to Mys�c Lake Casino:

Monday, January 26th. Depart Rogers

Community Room at 8:30am and de-

part the casino at 2:30pm. Call Liz by

Jan. 16. $5.00 cash collected with res-

erva�on to hold your spot; will be

returned on the day of the trip.

Great Decisions: A Global Conversa-

�on Group - approx. 1 hour monthly

foreign policy discussion of important

global topics presented by videos,

local expert presenta�ons and group

discussions. Third Wednesday of each

month at 10am at the Rogers Com-

munity Room. Fee: $10.00 for the

book (used for 8 topics/8 months).

Call Liz 763-428-0939.

The Word of Peace Kids-Care Bus takes

seniors shopping at Ridgedale every

other month. The next trip will be Feb-

ruary 10. 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 Newsle�er, call

763-241-3520. Or, read it online at Seniors.

CityofRogers.org.

CROSS Corner

1,023 children received presents and Christmas

stockings thanks to generous people like you. Many

of these families would have gone without but, in-

stead, felt the joy of a gi5 and were touched by

your though\ulness.

This �me of year the need for food is great. All do-

na�ons are greatly appreciated! Please bring non-

perishable food items, toiletries, etc. to the CROSS

Corner in the North Gathering Area.

January Needs: Crackers, Deodorant

Blood Drive at Word of Peace

Thursday, January 29

12:00 Noon—7:00pm

Every 2 seconds someone needs blood. The need is

constant but the supply is not, especially this �me of

year. Please consider giving blood. Your simple act

of giving can make a life-saving difference to some-

one in need.

To sign up, contact Kris Hofstedt at 763-242-3304 or

763-428-8546.

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

Details on Page 4