February 2010

St. Paul’s Lutheran MESSENGER

Remember

that you

are dust

and to dust

you shall

return.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: 952-938-4683 Email: stpauls@saintpaulslutheran.org Fax: 952-938-1141

Website: www.saintpaulslutheran.org

Our mission is to be “an open and inviting church spreading the Good News of Christ.”

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

An RIC congregation of the ELCA MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is “to be an open and inviting church spreading the Good News of Christ.” WORSHIP TIMES You are invited to join us regularly on Sunday mornings for 9:30 AM worship followed by refreshments. Please check the enclosed calendar for days and times of Christian education and events.

Also, an interactive calendar is available on our website: www.saintpaulslutheran.org. Just click the “Calendar” button at the top of the webpage and click the time for event details. OFFICE HOURS The office is lightly staffed. Regular office hours are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Please call before coming in case of unexpected closure. Phone: 952-938-4683, Fax: 952-938-1141, email: StPauls@saintpaulslutheran.org, Website: saintpaulslutheran.org. MAILING LIST Please notify the church office when you notify the Post Office you will be temporarily away.

St. Paul’s congregation is pleased to send you this newsletter. However, if you prefer not to receive it, please call the church office at 952-938-4683 or e-mail us at stpauls@saintpaulslutheran.org.

We are moving toward “going green” in the future. The newsletter is available on our website. Save paper and postage; view it online.

PARTNER CONGREGATION Igelsia Vida Abundante en Cristo, (Abundant Life in Christ), provides a worship service in Spanish at St. Paul’s on Sunday 1:00 – 3:00 pm and Friday, 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

MISSION AFFILIATES Agora Ministries Augustana Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins Bet Shalom Reform Congregation Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) Lutherans Concerned/North America (RIC) Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Lutheran World Relief Meals on Wheels Minneapolis Area Synod of ELCA Mizpah United Church of Christ Mount Olive Lutheran Church Oak Knoll Lutheran Church Open Arms of Minnesota Our Saviour’s Housing ResourceWest of Hopkins Thrivent Financial for Lutherans West Metro Grief Support

PUBLICATION The Messenger is a newsletter published monthly by St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 13207 Lake St. Extension, Minnetonka, MN 55305.

ARTICLE SUBMISSION Please submit articles as Word attachments with your clip art to stpauls@saintpaulslutheran.org. Include your name and contact information. Indicate whether what you are submitting is optional "filler" material or something you definitely want included in the next newsletter. For pre-printed fliers or brochures, provide a condensed version that can be directly inserted in the newsletter. If needed, include the name of a contact person or phone number that readers may call for more information. Submission deadline is the fifteenth of the month. All submissions are subject to editing for space and content. All rights reserved by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH COUNCIL & ASSISTING

ADMINISTRATORS Rev. Louise Mollick Pastor

Vince Jacobson President

Mary Hromatka Vice President, Facility Use Coordinator

Mike Mikulay Treasurer

Bernie Johnson Associate Treasurer

Shirley Schaller Financial Secretary

Jeanne Moe Council Member

Kathy Powers Council Member Eric Reishus Council Member

Steve Mollick Music Director

Rachel Mollick Worship Accompanist

Linda McGee Choir Accompanist

Linda Dundas Administrative Assistant

Lisa Foss Webmaster

AUXILIARY BUILDING USE St. Paul’s encourages use of its facility by outside entities such that it will support our mission statement. Examples would be the 12 Step anonymous programs, local neighborhood organizations, and other congregations. Please contact us at 952-938-4683 for more information if interested.

Sharing Identity I often find myself thinking about Jesus’ words from Mark 8:27 and 30, “Who do people say I am?” followed later by “Who do you say I am?” I have always thought of my identity as “who I am”, but it is becoming more and more obvious to me that who other people say that I am is as important as who I think I am.

Modern security access control systems use a concept of identity based trust. That is, they use techniques to verify that we are who we say we are, and then trust us accordingly. In security circles, they talk about establishing identity using something you have, something you know, and something you are. For example, to get money from an ATM, we use our ATM card (something you have) and a PIN (something you know), and then we are trusted to withdraw money up to some daily maximum. Places where some of us work use photo ID badges (something we have), sometimes along with a pass code (something more we know), and/or some biometric measure (something we are; typically fingerprint, or face or iris recognition) before they “say who we are”.

An identity is incredibly dynamic and complex. It is a lot like faith. Every day it changes in some subtle way, and it is also impossible to see it all at once. Who people say I am is only a tiny window into my whole identity and limited to a specific context, much like the access control system that says that I am a person trusted in rooms 113, 127, and 214. Relationships are all about identity, about knowing and being known. A relationship results in our own sense of identity becoming more secure because we trust another enough to ask “who do you say that I am?” and to use the response as a guide in moving toward being known as who we are striving to become. The resulting trust and security in our own identity frees us to take risks.

Most of us are accustomed to being known in many kinds of relationships, beginning with a family relationship at birth, and expanding to include relationships like church, friends, schoolmates, marriage, employment, and many others. Each of these relationships has a unique context of “who do people say that I am?” and often has a unique context of who we are trying to become. All of this comes together within a community of believers where we each have a relationship with our Lord and Savior who says we are children of God, each on a journey learning to embrace that within, “who we think we are”. One of the things that make this possible is reinforcement from relationships with one another. When we talk about being welcoming, we need to be aware that trust and acceptance comes with relationship; with who I say you are based on what I have learned by knowing you. Welcoming is really all about trust and acceptance without relationship; who I say you are when I know nothing about you. A welcoming place is first and foremost a safe place to be when you are not known. We have been talking a lot lately about being intentional in sharing Christ’s story and in sharing our story with people outside our doors. The first, easiest, and least threatening step in this direction is to share with people who know us. That is, friends, family, neighbors, and people we work with. Remember that as risky as it may feel to share this part of our identity with someone new, and to invite someone to “come and see”; it is even more risky for those we invite to come into a gathering where they are completely unknown. A single invitation is almost never enough to overcome the anxiety. It is even more risky for us to go the next step and share with folks that don’t know us at all; and still riskier for them to accept that invitation. Two critical concepts give me the courage and compel me to share Christ’s story and our story and my story:

1. This is not our work, its God’s work. When we make an invitation and it seems like nothing comes of it, it is not our failure, and it is God’s timing.

2. When I think of how important faith is in my life, I feel compelled to tell my story to those who may be trying to make sense of their lives without faith.

continued on the following page

A MESSAGE FROM

OUR PRESIDENT

continued from the previous page When I think about things that might discourage people who want to come and see, I keep thinking that WE ARE A SAFE PLACE, but who we are seems to be a well kept secret outside our doors. We must continue to find ways to be known outside our doors. We must seek out and take advantage of every opportunity to share our stories, individually and as a congregation. We have been making some exciting progress in this area, and I look forward to expanding opportunities. Pray for courage to share your story and to live your life focused on welcoming and invitation. Blessings, Vince Jacobson

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Annual Congregation Meeting

HIGHLIGHTS

January 17, 2010

Council President Vince Jacobson called the meeting to order at 10:55 a.m. following the morning worship service. Pastor Louise Mollick led devotions.

The Annual Congregation Report was delivered electronically to members prior to the meeting and is available on our website, as well as 20 copies provided at the meeting. Handouts consisted of the Agenda on one side and 2009 Treasurer’s Report / Proposed 2010 Budget on the other.

Sufficient attendance to satisfy a quorum (at least 19 voting members) was verified. Thirty-four members attended and one non-member.

The published agenda for the meeting was approved without modification.

Jim Uden moved to approve the minutes of the January 2009 meeting. It was seconded by Regina Johnson and passed unanimously.

Thanks to Pr. Louise for her leadership this year was declared in acclamation and followed by applause. Linda Dundas was also thanked for her

dedication and diligent work, most recently on the Annual Report.

Mike Mikulay presented the 2009 and the 2010 budgets and discussion followed. Phil Eckhert made the motion to accept the proposed budget and Shirlee Waltz seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

Vince presented the proposed changes to the congregational bylaws. Shirlee Waltz moved to approve the changes and Shirley Schaller seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

St. Paul’s Church Council has three retiring members – Vince Jacobson, Mary Hromatka and Carolyn Carpenter. Vince, Mary, and Eric Reishus were nominated for three of the open positions with their prior consent. No nomination was presented for the currently open Youth position. The election was opened to nominations from the floor. Phil moved to cease nominations and Jim Uden seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The three nominated candidates were elected unanimously.

The Minneapolis Synod Assembly will be held April 24, 2010. Our congregation is permitted two adult and one youth voting delegate. Eric Reishus, Vince Jacobson and Kathy Pfaendtner each expressed an interest in serving, but schedule availability needs to be confirmed. Delegates will be appointed at the February council meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. with a closing prayer by Pastor Louise.

Disclaimer Highlights are provided for the purpose of timely dissemination of information only. The above is not approved meeting minutes and is subject to correction and/or change.

Hardcopies of the Annual Congregation Report are available on the entryway table and include an updated Church Directory. Members are encouraged to read the report carefully. Some Items that may be of interest are: 45 members removed from active rolls due to attrition (over 2 years of inactivity), daily devotional Christ In Our Home” canceled due to budget cuts, terrific ministry team reports that tell our incredible story, official rewording of our Mission Statement and a new organizational chart.

COUNCIL NEWS

St. Paul’s Church Council meets at 7:00 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Congregation members are welcome to attend and/or submit items for the agenda by contacting one of the

council members.

Council Meeting Highlights

January 12, 2010

Gathering Council President Vince Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present were Vince Jacobson, Pr. Louise Mollick, Carolyn Carpenter, Mary Hromatka, Kathy Powers, Connie Hessevick, and Mike Mikulay.

Mary gave devotions.

Council minutes for January were amended. Mary made the motion for approval as amended and it was seconded by Kathy.

Reports

• Pr. Louise provided the Pastor’s Report as well as the status of partner congregations.

• Mike gave the Finance Report and discussed the 2010 budget which will be presented at our annual meeting on January 17th.

Continuing Business

• In preparation for the Annual Congregation Meeting, Vince presented proposed changes to the bylaws that will be voted on. There was discussion and Connie moved that we recommend them to the congregation as presented. Mike seconded and the motion passed.

New Business

• The annual report will be highlighted at the 1/17 meeting but only limited meeting time will be spent on it.

• A list of inactive members was provided at the December meeting. A letter has been sent to each and the single response has been received.

• An updated Church Directory listing (1/15/10) has been marked up with the intended changes. The council agreed with proposed updates and to have Linda

Dundas update the Church Windows database.

• Kathy and Vince will continue to work on membership list management. An upgrade of Church Windows has been ordered to support this effort. They will define criteria to establish groups as appropriate for the lists that will be needed.

• The January potluck will include representatives from Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Several details remain to be worked through before that date.

• Phil Eckhert volunteered to lead the Going Green initiative. Kathy will assist and provide council presence.

• Fundraising ideas were discussed – a garage sale was approved and Rachel Larson will be approached to head it up. Connie also is looking into producing a St. Paul’s cookbook.

• A motion was made by Carolyn to tithe the proceeds from fundraisers in 2010, seconded by Connie and passed.

Mary gave the closing prayer and the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Carpenter, outgoing Secretary

Disclaimer Highlights are provided for the purpose of timely dissemination of information only. The above is not approved meeting minutes and is subject to correction and/or change.

• Carolyn Carpenter for your time commitment and dedication in serving on St. Paul’s Church Council over these past years.

• Vince Jacobson and Mary Hromatka for an awesome job well done and consenting to continue!

• and welcome to Eric Reishus for your willingness to join in the management and leadership responsibilities of St. Paul’s Church Council. Awesome!

Treasurer’s Report for December 2009 By Mike Mikulay

2009 ended on a high note, financially, for the congregation. Thank you for your strong support of the ministries of St. Paul’s.

December receipts were $902 favorable to expenses. See table below for year-end figures:

2009 Actuals 2009 Budget Receipts $178,612 $169,800 $8,812 favorable Expenses $192,335 $199,118 $6,783 favorable

Net Receipts ($13,723) ($29,318) $15,595 favorable Highlights regarding year-end receipts and expenses include:

- 2009 offerings were $3,130 favorable to budget. - 2009 rent & fees were $8,920 favorable to budget. - 2009 expenses for Office Supplies, Utilities, and Committees/Ministry Teams combined

were $7,335 favorable to budget. The remaining expenses for Salaries, Benefits, Mortgage, Benevolence to ELCA, and Insurance were each close to budget.

Balance Sheet at the end of December:

December 31, 2009 Operating Funds $12,619 Youth Funds $3,904

Total Checking/Savings $16,523 Securities at Scottrade at cost basis

$26,636

Prepaid Insurance $540 Total Current Assets $43,699

Less Total Current Liabilities ($30,715) Working Capital $12,984

At the Annual Meeting on January 17, 2010, a 2010 Annual Budget with $182,166 in total receipts (a 7.3% increase over the 2009 budget), $181,811 in total expenses (a 9.1% decrease from the 2009 budget), and a surplus of $355 was approved. This budget was nearly the same one that was discussed at the cottage meetings last November. Call me at 952-933-9068 if you have any questions.

Haiti Earthquake Relief

The Situation:

On January 12 at 4:53 p.m., a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the island country of Haiti, primarily impacting its capital of Port-au-Prince and its nearly two million residents. It is believed that over three million citizens of Haiti are affected. The epicenter of the quake was centered approximately 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince. Offices, hotels, houses and shops have collapsed. Over 30 aftershocks ranging from 4.2 to 6.1 have already been recorded. The city is without electricity and the telephone network has been overloaded with calls making it impossible to reach friends and family. The presidential palace is in ruins and many churches have been destroyed. Hospitals that were not directly impacted by the quake are overflowing and the search for survivors is intense. Already one of the poorest countries in the world, this catastrophe will exacerbate the suffering felt by many already living with hunger and poverty.

ELCA Response:

The ELCA, through the Lutheran World Federation, has already responded to the critical needs of survivors in Haiti. Thankfully, the LWF offices and staff on the island were spared in the earthquake, making it possible for work to begin immediately. Staff there will focus their immediate efforts on issues of water safety and sanitation, assisting with medical triage, and providing emergency sheltering for the many who are now homeless. The ELCA has long-standing relationships in Haiti through several organizations and the Lutheran Church in Haiti.

How You Can Help:

• Members of Thrivent Financial for Lutheran: make donations online at www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti; by phone at 1-800-236-3736 (7 am – 6 pm CT, M – F). When prompted, please say “directory” then enter ext. 83003; by mail: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, 4321 Ballard Rd., Appleton WI 54919. Thrivent Financial will match $1 for every $2 given, maximum of $250 per member, up to $1 million until March 31, 2010. • Check or money orders send to: ELCA Int’l Disaster Response, Attn: Haiti Earthquake Relief, PO Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764 and write “Haiti Earthquake Relief” on your check’s memo line. • Credit card by phone: 1-800-638-3522 • Online. Credit card contributions may also be made via mail.

100% of your gift will be used in full to bring life sustaining support to this crisis.

Please hold the people of Haiti in your prayers.

Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.

Lent begins with a solemn

call to fasting and repentance as we begin our journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. As we hear in readings for the season, Lent is the acceptable time to return to the Lord. During this time the people of God will reflect on the meaning of their baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection. The sign of ashes suggest our human mortality and frailty. What seems like an ending is really an invitation to make each day a new beginning, in which we are washed in God’s mercy and forgiveness. With the cross on our brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that flows from the springtime Easter feast to come.

Sundays and Seasons, 2010; p. 112

Join us for Lent

2/17 – 7:00 pm, Ash Wednesday worship, Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes

2/24 - 3/24 – 6:00 pm, Wednesday Soup Supper and 6:45 pm Prayers Around the Cross worship service.

� Interfaith Dialogue Series � hosted by Oak Knoll Lutheran Church

600 Hopkins Crossroads & 394, Minnetonka

Judaism, Christianity and Islam Sessions are Wednesdays

6:30 – 8:00 pm

February 3: Judaism and Christianity: Healing old wounds February 10: Judaism, Christianity and Islam: The Challenges and Possibilities of Interfaith Relations.

Kitchen helpers ---- please return cleaned kitchen laundry ASAP.

7 Cassidy Streater 12 Sammi Anderson 14 Eric Campbell 16 Elsie Hanning 18 Lorraine Smith 21 Peter Tollefson 22 Mike Mikulay 25 Jeanne Moe 26 Bernie Johnson

andandandand AnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversaries:::: 2 Ray & Jean Olson 4 Dean Bonner & Mary Hromatka 6 John & Shirley Riggle 28 Tom & Kim Streater 28 Phil Eckhert & Sheri Brenden

St. Paul’s almost Annual Rumage Sale

is happening again early May!

Save your Clean, reusable items! (no TVs or electronics please!)

Help needed too! call Rachel Larson at 952-934-7161 or Jan Guetschow at 952-935-0050

Watch for details next month!Watch for details next month!Watch for details next month!Watch for details next month!

The Funny Side of Parenting

The man passed out in a dead faint as he came out of his front door onto the porch. Someone dialed 911. When the paramedics arrived, they helped the man regain consciousness and asked if he knew what caused him to faint. "It was enough to make anybody faint," he said. "My son asked me for the keys to the garage, and instead of driving the car out, he came out with the snow blower."

We have been discussing ways that as a congregation we can be kinder to the environment and save money at the same time. But we have not looked thoroughly across all that we do to approach the effort in a systematic way. Phil Eckhert has offered to lead the Going Green initiative to help us review what we do, what resources we use, and how we could improve our stewardship of those resources. This is also a great opportunity for anyone to make a difference to both our congregation and the environment, and a chance to learn more about the internal workings of the congregation. Please contact Phil if you feel a calling to be involved in this initiative.

Cell Phones: We have a drop box above the mailboxes in the office to recycle cell phones (please, no accessories including chargers, manuals, cases etc). Cartridges: Office Depot will give us $3 credit toward office supplies for each ink and toner cartridge we bring in to recycle.

Water bottles: ICA can use your gently used water bottles for liquid dish detergent dispersement. Drop box is in our entryway.

Thank you for recycling with St. Paul’s. _________________________________

Forest Hill /Fingerhut Watertower Demolition

The City of Minnetonka is informing you that the Forest Hills and Fingerhut water towers are going to be dismantled in January and February of 2010. Work will begin on the Forest Hills tower on January 4th and February 1st for the Fingerhut tower, weather permitting. This was made possible with the construction of the much larger Williston water tower on TH 7 which was constructed in 2001. Removal was delayed due to the contracts that were in place with a variety of telecommunications providers that had antennas on the water towers.

General Construction Services, Inc. of Stillwater, Minnesota will be dismantling the structures for the City of Minnetonka. The towers will be removed by cutting them into pieces and lowering them to the ground by crane where they will be loaded on trucks and hauled away. Dismantling of the towers will take approximately one day, however additional time will be needed to clean up any facilities that may be buried in the ground or located on the site. Weather conditions may have an effect on the schedule. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact the following people:

Jim Malone, Utility Manager 952-988-8410

Brian Wagstrom, Public Works Director 952-988-8403 General Construction Service, Inc. 651-275-0114 Minnetonka City Staff would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout the duration of the project.

Recycling?

For more information, please call the coalition co-coordinator, Darcie Rodman 763-546-4404

Dear Members of St. Paul’s

Please know how wonderful, generous and comforting your beautiful gifts of prayer shawls are to me and the others who received them. Your thoughtfulness, generosity, love and prayers are appreciated and will be remembered – and in some cases – prayed forward as well.

Grief Support Group participant Dear Pastor Mollick:

During the weeks before Christmas, I attended the grief support meetings hosted by your congregation. I was so impressed by the wonderful treats you prepared for us, but also by the warm hospitality. It was an uplifting experience. Most of all, I was overwhelmed by the prayer shawls your members made for us. When we went to our group session after the candle lighting ceremony, we all wore our shawls and to see the men in my group all wrapped up in their shawls gave me insight into what they, too, were feeling. I guess grief has no gender. In an earlier session at another church, the speaker told how she expressed her grief through creativity. I am sending along this year’s painting

which was my Christmas card. I have done this for about twelve years, long before my husband died. Earlier ones depicted my sadness during the final years of his life. I always enjoy visiting other churches and seeing how those congregations glorify God. I felt very welcome at St. Paul’s. In His Service,

Grief Support Group participant To St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,

A very special thank you to all the people who made the prayer shawls. Wishing you and all the people of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’m sure the wishes come from all the people in our grief support group – Love in Jesus,

Grief Support Group participant Dear Friends:

I want to thank you for giving so generously through the Heifer International gift catalog ($700). Your gift to Heifer is another opportunity to help a family lift themselves out of poverty and begin a journey toward a brighter future . . .Your gift keeps on giving – providing a sustainable source of food, income and opportunity to more and more families. It’s no exaggeration to say that we couldn’t do our work without you! Thank you very much for your support. President of Heifer International

Saturday Grief Support Group West Metro Grief Support Coalition invites all persons experiencing grief due to a death.

Grief support groups offer hope and healing through education, listening, sharing, prayer and fellowship.

January 9 – March 27, 2010 9:30 – 11:30 AM

Union Congregational United Church of Christ 3700 Alabama Avenue South St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Pr. Wes Syverson – church liaison (952) 929-6465

DATE SPEAKER TOPIC _______________________

February 6 Renee Compo, RN Wellness during Grief February 13 Chaplain David Engelstad Grief as Becoming February 20 Sheri Vliet Rebuilding after Loss February 27 Elizabeth Johnson Writing through Grief

February 7 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 6:1–8 [9–13] Psalm 138 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 Luke 5:1–11 February 14 – Last Sunday after Epiphany Exodus 34:29–35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2 Luke 9:28–36 [37–43] February 17 - Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 or Isaiah 58:1– 2 Psalm 51:1–17 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10 Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 February 21 – 1st Sunday in Lent Deuteronomy 26:1–11 Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16 Romans 10:8b–13 Luke 4:1–13 February 28 – 2nd Sunday in Lent Genesis 15:1–12, 17–18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17– 4:1 Luke 13:31–35 March 7 – 3rd Sunday in Lent Isaiah 55:1 – 9 Psalm 63:1 – 8 1 Corinthians 10:1 – 13 Luke 13:1 – 9 March 14 – 4th Sunday in Lent Joshua 5:9 – 12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16 – 21 Luke 15:1 – 3, 11b – 32 March 21 – 5th Sunday in Lent Isaiah 43:16 – 21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b – 14 John 12:1 – 8

March 28 – Palm Sunday Sunday of Passion Isaiah 50:4 – 9a Psalm 31:9 – 16 Philippians 2:5 – 11 Luke 22:14 – 23:56 or 23:1 – 49

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

� St. Paul’s Prayer Line is activated by

calling the coordinator, Maxine Rieman at 952-238-8516, cell 763-807-7682, or calling the church office when she cannot be reached.

� Sunday Adult Forum topic during lent is

“Radical Welcome”. Everyone is encouraged to attend Feb. 21 – March 21.

� Prayers Around the Cross Wednesday

evenings during Lent, 6:45 – 7:15 pm.

� Other prayer resources are available at www.elca.org/prayer.

Sunday Bible Readings [Can be used for bulletin cover design inspiration]

Prayer & Bible Study

St. Paul's Lutheran Church 13207 Lake Street Extension

Minnetonka, MN 55305

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Please deliver within 5 days

of February 1, 2010

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit #532

Hopkins, MN 55343

WELCOME STATEMENT

We at St. Paul’s are committed to welcoming you . . .

• If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersexual, transgendered or straight.

• If you are seven, seventeen, forty-seven or one hundred and seven.

• If you are black, brown, red, yellow, white or any shade in between.

• If you are broken, healed or in recovery.

• If you are rich, poor, or somewhere in between.

• If you are able-bodied, disabled or differently-abled.

• If you have a strong faith, have doubts about your faith or aren’t sure you have any

faith at all.

• If you have accepted Christ’s love, question Christ’s love or don’t know if you are loved.

• If you are looking for a church home, have never had a church home or need a place to

find peace.

We are committed to welcoming everyone, living as a reconciling people

in our life together and in our outreach to the community.