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Peace Notes MARCH 2012

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LENTEN DRAMAS

In the five Wednesdays of Lent this year, we will see The Five Faces of Lent: a

drama�c series that features five of the men connected with the crucifixion and

death of Jesus. We will look upon Judas, the betraying disciple; Caiaphas, the

high priest who engineered the plot against Jesus; Barrabas, the thief who was

released from his death sentence instead of Jesus; Dismas, the thief who was

crucified with Jesus on Calvary and became a believer on the cross; and Peter,

the braggadocios disciple and fierce defender of Jesus, who in the end denied

him three �mes. As we take this journey together, we will see a bit of ourselves

in each of these five men and see what a difference Jesus’ presence can make in a life. We will also cele-

brate the season with the Holden Evening Prayer Service.

Wednesday Lenten Worship begins on February 29th

and runs through March 28th

. Services are at 5:30 p.m.

and 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Lenten Suppers will be served from 5-7:00pm.

What is Lent? Lent is the Chris�an season of prepara�on before Easter. Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the

start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days (not including Sundays) prior to Easter. The forty days

of Lent recall the 40-day fast of Jesus in the wilderness a3er his bap�sm (Ma5hew 4:2, Luke 4:1-2) and

Moses' 40-day fast on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28).

Lent is a �me when we prepare for Easter by observing a period of prayer, service, modera�on, self-

examina�on and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside �me for reflec�on on Jesus Christ - his

suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrec�on.

Experience Lent at Word of Peace Wednesdays, February 29-March 28

Lenten Dinners - 5:00-7:00pm Lenten Worship - 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.

The Five Faces of Lent

2

Help Beaufy the Sanctuary for Easter! The Visual Ministry

Team is selling tulips, hydrangeas, and Easter lilies to adorn

the altar area and plants can be purchased in memory or

honor of a loved one. Tulips & Lilies are $10 and Hydran-

geas are $15, and will be for sale in the Gathering Area on

February 19th, 26th, and March 4th. Flowers may be

picked up right a3er the last service on Easter Sunday.

Thank you for making the church beau�ful for Easter with

your gi3 of flowers!

Missionary Updates from Japan—Would you like to stay

be5er connected to the lives & ministry of the Bencke’s in

Japan? Sign up to receive their e-mail newsle5er! Put your

contact info. on the Missionary Support board in the North

Gathering Area or contact Jackie Bencke at

jacqueline.bencke@gmail.com.

Plant Sale Packets Available March 18th—Spring is coming

soon and that means the annual Youth Plant Sale is right

around the corner!

March 18—Plant sale packets will be available

April 15—Packets/orders are due to the Youth office

May 11—Delivery of plants

Order your plants from a youth a5ending the Na�onal

Youth Gathering or Summer Camp. Have them delivered to

your home or come and pick them out yourself at

church. Thank you for your support and we wish you a colorful

spring!

Minot Mission Trip Flood Clean-Up—Our Friends in Minot, ND s�ll

need our help! Our church conference is organizing a mission trip

to Minot with Lutheran Disaster Relief, and you’re invited. 5-day

trip, $60 fee plus shared travel costs. April 18-22, 25-29, or May 2-

6. To learn more, e-mail social@wordofpeace.org or visit the Infor-

ma�on Desk.

“Cra) Connecon” Group Now Forming—A group is now forming

for those interested in doing cra3 projects at the church, either

mornings or a3ernoons during the week. Bring your own cra3 to

work on while you fellowship with others. If interested, contact

Bernice at 763-428-0771 a3er March 5th. More informa�on will be

given once dates are determined.

Thank You to the Many Hands and Loving Hearts who helped sup-

port the memorial and funeral services for 16 year-old Luke Letell-

ier, who lost his life a3er a 2-year ba5le with cancer on February

11th. There was a tremendous amount of planning and prepara-

�on that was needed to support the Letellier family, friends, STMA

High School staff and St. Michael/Albertville community. We could

not have achieved such a huge undertaking without our amazing

volunteers!

Happenings

Courageous: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. — Joshua 24:15

Our Courageous theme will include the new-release Christian film of the same name

and discussion about family roles. Our featured speaker is Pastor Mark Marxhausen. If

you haven’t heard any of Mark’s messages (in person or podcast) and dynamic speak-

ing style, you won’t want to miss this Men’s Retreat! We will share in a breakfast

meal, a catered lunch from Linda’s Café, fellowship, communion, and more.

This event is open to all men, members and non-members, ages 14-and older. Cost is

$25. More information and sign-up tables will be available in the Gathering Area

throughout March. This will be a fun, engaging and spiritually fulfilling event! Contact

Carolyn at 763-428-5338 with questions.

We are privileged to have Marilyn Sharpe as our guest this year.

Marilyn is a dynamic and well-known speaker who has the gift of

hospitality, encouragement, and she is engages women of all ages.

Come join us for a relaxing time of fun, food and fellowship. Cost is

$25. All women are welcome!

More information and sign-up will be available in the Gathering Area

throughout March. Contact Carol at 763-420-2146 with questions.

Saturday, March 17

8am-4pm

women’s retreat

How Can I Keep from Singing?How Can I Keep from Singing?How Can I Keep from Singing?How Can I Keep from Singing?

Friday, March 30

6:00-9:00pm

Saturday, March 31

9:00am-3:30pm

Faith & Friends in Hard Times

3

Music & Worship

Word of Peace Seniors

Please contact Judy Hanson at 763-428-7657 for resource, community or general

informa�on for seniors.

If you’d like to subscribe to the Senior Newsle5er, call 763-241-3520. Or, you can

read the newsle5er online by going to www.seniors.cityofrogers.org.

Date Time Activity Cost/Details Contact

Thursdays 10:00am Thursday Senior Shop Rogers Bus $1.00 per rider Judy 763-428-7657

3/4 1-5pm Jammers Pot Luck & Music Rogers Community Center

(eat at 4pm)

Dave 763-428-4217

Tuesdays 2:30-3:30pm Fit & Fun Exercise for Seniors North Ballet Academy

Hwy. 101 & CR 141

Barb at 763-429-4955

3/13 9:30am Kids-Care Bus: Wal-Mart/Maple Grove

Stores

$1.00 per rider Judy 763-428-7657

3/15 10am-1pm Care Care: Talk & Training with a Mechanic Rogers Community Center This will be a monthly

event

3/16 9-10:30am Breakfast at Denny’s in Rogers Menu items for $6.99 Margaret 763-428-8650

3/21 1:30-3pm Memory Loss Support Group at Wellstead For family members caring

for loved ones

Heidi at 763-428-8181

2/28 3-5 pm Happy Hour at Dehns in Dayton Early dinner $3.95, drinks

not included

Margaret 763-428-8650

Voices Needed for Holy Week & Easter

The Fes�val Chorus will start rehearsing on Wednesday, March 14th

at 7:45pm to prepare music for Holy

Week and Easter. This is a four week commitment for the singers and everyone who would like to par�ci-

pate is welcome to come and sing.

Contact Michael Sahlen at msahlen@woplc.org or 763-496-2412 for more informa�on.

4

“I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what

it is to have li5le, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and

all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and

of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do

all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11b-13)

What does “contentment” feel like? This is a difficult ques�on in

our current culture. When surveys have asked “How much is

enough?” responses have consistently been “Twenty percent

more than I have now.” If that is true, how do we break the

endless circle this leads us toward—it is always “twenty percent

more.” We are told over and over every day—“You don’t have

enough…What you have is fragile and could be gone at any mo-

ment…You have to go get more!” These messages come from a

world focused on scarcity.

In this seWng how do we understand our rela�onship with God?

God is creator—we are God’s creatures. How do we live in rela-

�onship with our creator? Mar�n Luther reminds us in his expla-

na�on of the First Ar�cle of the Apostles’ Creed “that God has

created me and all that exists…God daily and abundantly pro-

vides…all the necessi�es and nourishment for this body and

life…out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, with-

out any merit or worthiness of mine at all!” It is in this rela�on-

ship that we recognize that God has abundantly provided us

with all that we need. Living in that abundance we give of the

blessings we have received.

If we focus on the scarcity, we never have enough. When we

focus on God’s abundant blessings, there is more than we can

ever imagine. Recognizing God’s abundant blessings we experi-

ence Paul’s message to the Philippians in our own lives. We can

be content with what we have because we know that we are

blessed and can “do all things through him who strengthens us.”

As we look to the month of March, please know that your giving to the General Fund not only supports the ongoing ministries

of Word of Peace, but also helps support these special additional events:

Peace Market, our annual church wide rummage sale

will be the third week of April. Mark your calendars!

Start cleaning out your basements, closets and garages

for treasures to donate!

Tuesday, April 17th

, 12-8, Intake

Wednesday, April 18th

, 12-8, Intake

Thursday, April 19th

, 10-12 Intake, 5-8 Sale

Friday, April 20th

, 9-6 Sale

Volunteer sign up will be in the Gathering Area on March

18, 19, 25 and 26!

Coming Soon!Coming Soon!Coming Soon!Coming Soon!

• Senior High School / New Orleans Youth Gathering Peer

Ministry Retreat

• New Member Orienta�on with over 30 households joining

the congrega�on

• Adult Educa�on, the ALPHA Course, and several Small

Groups

• Lenten Suppers and Worship Services

• Senior High School 30 Hour Famine raising money for

World Vision

• Men’s and Women’s Retreats

• 5th

Grade Keeping the Promise Event: Celebrate

Communion

5

Faith Formaon Ministry

Middle School

MSM.AM—MSM.AM stands for Middle School Ministry

A.M. We meet two Sundays a month in the Youth Room

from 9:30-10:30am for food, devo�ons and games. All

6th-8th graders are invited. This month’s MSM.AM dates

are March 11th

and 25th. See you there!

Summer Stretch—6th

-12th

Graders can sign up now for

Summer Stretch. It’s all about having fun while doing im-

portant work in our community! We’re living out the

meaning of Ma5hew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your

light shine before others, so that they may see your good

works and give glory to your

father who is in heaven.”

Grab an informa�on packet/

registra�on from outside

the Youth Ministry office.

Vacaon Bible School Registra-

on begins Sunday, March 4

June 25-29, 2012

for children 4 yrs.– 5th grade

Registra�on forms available at the Educa�on office or at

www.wordofpeace.org. Many volunteer leaders needed—

Come be part of the fun!

ALPHA Retreat

for all ALPHA Parcipants

Saturday, March 10 &

Sunday, March 11

Contact Pastor Rick with

ques�ons at 763-496-2400.

Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, April 1 at 2 pm

For children infants through fourth grade.

Filled Easter eggs will be needed beginning

March 11.

Buy a Bible for a Word of Peace Child

Bible Blast begins March 25

Due to the generosity of our congrega�on we

are able to gi3 a Bible to every three-year

old, third grader, sixth grader and any child

that does not have a Bible. Look for our Bible

Blast Display to sponsor a Bible.

Youth Ministry

Making Sense of the Cross

Adult Lent Study

Sunday Mornings at 9:30 and 11:00 am

March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1

The cross is a powerful symbol at the center

of our faith. During Lent, enjoy an open and

candid conversa�on about the cross, its

significance and symbolism. Reflect about

the cross and its meaning in your life.

Everyone is welcome!

Celebrate Communion Event for

5th Graders

Sunday, March 25, 2-5 pm

Explore the meaning behind Holy Commun-

ion and why we receive this sacrament as

followers of Jesus. Registra�on forms

available at the Educa�on office or at

www.wordofpeace.org

The Ten Commandments

Hey Parents! First through fi3h graders are learning the Ten

Commandments during their church school hour. Help them at

home by exploring the Ten Commandments and their meanings

as a family.

Go to www.wordofpeace.org for a complete lis�ng of the Ten

Commandments or call the Educa�on office and we will provide

you with a Small Catechism. Call Kris�n at 763.496.2404.

High School

30 hour Famine—Have you ever had the desire to make a

difference in the world? Do you know what it's like to be

really hungry? This is your chance to do both. Join us for

the 30 hour famine on March 9th and 10th to help raise

money for starving children across the world. Our goal is

to go without food for 30 hours and raise as much money

while we do it. Check out Facebook, the WOPLC Website

and Youth office for more informa�on.

Youth Camp Deadline is March 4th—It’s �me to turn in

your form and deposit for Summer camp! Informa�on

and registra�on forms can be

found by the Youth

Ministry office.

6

Pastor Krista Strum Faith Formation Pastor

Why? This is a ques�on that as a parent, former teacher,

and now pastor, I get asked a lot. Why is the sky blue? Why do I

need to eat my peas? Why do I need to sit down and be quiet?

Why do bad things happen? Why???

One of the things I love about children and adolescents is their in-

quisi�ve nature, their willingness to ask ques�ons. Unfortunately

for some, as we age we tend to ask less ques�ons or believe that

their ques�ons are foolish or insignificant. This is unfortunate be-

cause both faith and knowledge are formed through ques�oning,

exploring, and wondering.

Let’s spend some �me this Lent inten�onally reflec�ng and won-

dering. Let’s take some �me to wonder about a symbol that is cen-

tral to our lives of faith… something very visible in our daily lives…

The Cross.

Have you ever wondered…

Why does the cross ma�er so much to Chris!ans?

Why did God use such violent means?

How do we share this story with our children?

What does the cross say about God?

You have the opportunity to join with the pastors and others from

Word of Peace in a special 6-week Lenten event, Making Sense of

the Cross. We will have a 10-15 minute lesson by David Lose from

Luther Seminary, and we will spend some �me reflec�ng on the

presenta�on materials, and asking ques�ons. All are welcome to

join us for this study.

Pastor Krista Strum

Faith Forma�on Pastor

21705 129th Ave. N.

P.O. Box 306

Rogers, MN 55374

Church Office

763-496-2400

(press 3 to leave an emergency

message for the pastor)

On the Web

www.wordofpeace.org

www.facebook.com/

wordofpeace

Office Hours:

Mon-Thurs 8am-4:30pm;

Fri 8am-12:30pm

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

Contact Jennie Priebe in the

church office at 496-2401 or

jpriebe@woplc.org.

April newsle,er deadline:

March 16 at Noon

7

Sermons & Texts

March 4 & 5

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Pastor Rick Skare “What Does it Mean to ‘Take Up the Cross?’ ”

We are called by Jesus not only to walk behind

him on his way to the cross, but we are also

called to take up the cross and follow.

Scripture Readings: Mark 8:31-38; Genesis

17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-25; Psalm 22:23-31

March 11 & 12

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

Pastor Ron Prasek

“Jesus Launches Occupy Temple Protest”

When we look at some of the great human or-

ganiza�ons that have gone out of business, we

need always to look at ourselves and our

church so that we remain true to God’s Pur-

pose for us.

Scripture Readings: John 2:13-22; 1 Corinthians

1:18-25; Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19

March 18 & 19

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Pastor Krista Strum

“Hide it Under a Bushel? NO!”

“For God so loved the world” is emblema�c of

the central message of the Chris�an faith. We

see John 3:16 at spor�ng events, on posters

and helmets, etched on jewelry and even on

coffee cups. But the cita�on isn’t going to root

the gospel on people’s lives. It is an encounter

with the light of Christ that transforms us.

Scripture Readings: John 3:14-21; Numbers 21:4-

9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10

March 25 & 26

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Pastor Ron Prasek

“We Wish to See Jesus” Persons living or dead whom people would like

to have dinner with, Jesus is always in the top

five. While we can’t see him with our physical

eyes, we can see Jesus with the eyes of our

Heart.

Scripture Readings: Hebrews 5:5-10; Psalm 51:1-

12; Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 12:20-33

MARCH

Lenten Worship Wednesdays beginning

February 29th

5:00-7:00 p.m. Dinner Youth fundraiser

Worship Services at 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer Service and Lenten Dramas

Non-Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

ROGERS, MN

PERMIT NO. 9

C h a n g e S e r v i c e

R e q u e s t e d

P.O. B)* 306

R)./01, MN 55374

Sundays

8:00 a.m. Traditional

9:30 a.m. Blended

11:00 a.m. Contemporary

Mondays

6:30 p.m. Contemporary

Lenten Worship

Wednesdays through March 28 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer Service and Lenten Dramas

Palm Sunday•April 1

Worship at 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday•April 5

Worship at 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday •April 6 12 Noon and 6:30 p.m. Tenebrae Worship 8:00 p.m. Passion Experience Worship

Easter Worship•April 7 & 8

Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at 7:30, 9:00, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast Served on Sunday Morning