Category: Church Happenings

Gracious thanks to all that shared their time and resources for the giving and receiving of Christmas kindness. Mitten Tree. Blanket Drive. Toy Drive, Cookies. Choir. Cleaning. Decorating. The list goes on and on! Together we made Christmas beautiful for our church, and for more people than most of us will ever know.

Sunday, Jan. 5: Worship at 10:30, celebrating Epiphany. Looking forward to returning after a week cancelled due to weather. Fellowship downstairs to follow.

Monday, Jan. 6: Bible Study – 6 pm: Back after a long hiatus! Join Pastor Paul as we explore Sunday’s scripture. Let it be a fresh breath for our faith!

Tuesday, Jan. 7:  AA meets in Fellowship Hall.

Wednesday, Jan. 8: “Grill’s On!” Community Picnic: After two weeks off, let’s get back together! Join us between 5 and 7 as we share a meal together. As always, bring what you have, or just bring yourself. There is always enough! (Hey! Invite a friend!)

Thursday, Jan. 9:  AA meets in Fellowship Hall.

Looking Ahead

**Tuesday, Jan. 14: Church council meets at 7 pm, Trustees & Diaconate 6 pm. (Note the change back to Tuesday meetings – and start time moved up 1/2 hour.)

**NEW MEMBERS/RENEWAL OF COVENANT: Interested in becoming a member? (Or interested in renewing your covenant with the church after a period of absence?) Join us on Monday, January 13, 6 pm. **We’ll welcome new members and celebrate renewal on Sunday, January 19.

From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday“Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice….”  ~Isaiah 60:5

Slowly, the Christmas trinkets are packed away, and set back into storage. Or maybe you’re a “get it done” sort of person, and you’re well ahead of me. Anyway, it is safe to say the season of Christmas is over.And yes, the days are getting longer, but the gray and the rain seem to lay over me like a wet dishcloth. Blah.   Then I start the new year with a heaping helping of the flu. I begin the New Year not wanting to (and hardly able to) get out of bed. Double Blah.And then I write the words from the Prophet Isaiah above: “Be radiant!” “Thrill and rejoice!” The punctuation is mine, but it seems to fit, no? I mean, radiance and rejoicing do not seem to be the kind of words you can say when you’ve got a case of the “double blahs”…yet that is what God asks of us, here as the bright red flare of Christmas fades. God asks: “Did you get it? Do you know what all of this means?”   It’s a lovingly worthy challenge for us. Now that the tree is down, can we retain the wonder and excitement? When even the most nimble of us are forced to waddle more than we walk on these icy sidewalks, do we retain a spring in our step for the season? When we’ve quite honestly had our share of socialization and would rather just curl up alone, do we retain our spirit of welcome and goodwill? Of sharing and gift-giving and fellowship and song?   You know, for a fellow just coming out of a heaping helping of the “double blahs”, I’m rather thankful for the nudge. I’m thankful for the reminder that God is not seasonal, no matter how much I (or any of us) may try to make God so. Yeah…that’s a great reminder to myself: God doesn’t pulse brighter in one season than another.   So how do we remain filled with that bright hot Holy Spirit? Need a hand? I do. And lending a hand to nurture one another’s faith is at the core of what we do as church, right? Let’s see what we can do together. Thanks for being there.

Keep in Touch!

Pastor Paul

Church is cancelled tomorrow, Sunday, December 29th, due to the expected weather. We’ll see you all come January!

The “Make a Every Child Smile” toy drive distribution is today starting at 1:00pm.

One thing to note! This is not first come, first served, but instead will be done by lottery, so you do not need to arrive early. If you are here by 1:00, you will be in time for the lottery.

Hey Folks! We love you and we want you to be safe, so we’re cancelling church tomorrow.

Sit back, cozy up, and be thankful. Call if you need anything. I need an excuse to get out on my XC skis!.

We’ll bring in the Advent light next week!

Pastor Paul

Sunday, Dec. 1: We welcome the season of Advent, and share in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Note: In the event of poor weather, we’ll post church cancellation on our Facebook page and call those that do not have internet. Also, Pastor Paul will be here to answer phone calls and to welcome any brave souls.

Monday, Dec. 2: Bible Study, 6 pm: Each week we lift up a passage from this week’s lectionary and let our hearts, minds, and faith take a journey from those words. We’d love to have you join us!

Tuesday, Dec. 3:  AA meets in Fellowship Hall, 7 pm

Wednesday, Dec. 4:

**Women’s Fellowship meets at 1:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. All women are welcome to attend.

**Grill’s On Community Potluck, 5-7 pm: As always, bring what you can, or just bring yourself! There is always enough.

**Choir Practice: 6 pm: Note: The choir will be practicing every Wednesday through Advent.

Thursday, Dec. 5: AA meets in Fellowship Hall, 7 pm

Saturday, Dec. 7: Spruce up the Sanctuary and trim the tree! We will be putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the Sanctuary, starting at 9:00 am. Anyone who wants to help is invited to attend. If you have a vacuum cleaner that is easy to transport please bring it as this is also a good time to vacuum the upstairs of the church. Call Mike or Marna Fasteland if you have questions (384-9872).

Looking Ahead

Readers wanted: We are looking for readers for Advent Candle lighting and Christmas Eve scripture. If you are interested please contact the office or Pastor Paul.

Blanket Drive: There is a box in the Narthex welcoming new or gently used blankets for the Carlton County Crisis Shelter.

The Mitten Tree is up in the Narthex. Let’s bring mittens/gloves, hats, scarves, socks to decorate the tree. Items go to Stowe School for the children.

Other Ministries and Events

**Thursday, Dec. 12: Cookie baking, 9 am. All are invited to come help bake and decorate Christmas cookies.

**Saturday, Dec. 14:  Bill Bastian & the Highland Quartet, 1:30 pm. Free of charge. Bake sale to support the church. Cookies & coffee in Fellowship Hall after the concert.

From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday

“Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” ~ Matthew 24:42    (Insert crabby tantrum-infused voice here) “I tell ya, the commercials these days! All their bright and flashy noise. The busy voices shouting ‘this’ and ‘that’ and ‘look how happy you could be’ if you only bought whatever newfangled thing is out there! You know what I do? I take the blanket on my lap and put it over my head! Too much!”    (Now resume calm and thoughtful voice here) I’m not the only one, I know. I mean, I’m trying my best to embrace the season, but all of that noise and flash just doesn’t feel like the sort of season I want to embrace. I’m loud and scatter-brained enough, after all. I like my fun, but here in the dark season, I embrace a more thoughtful temperament.    So here’s what I’m thinking: when Jesus says “stay awake,” what he’s really saying to us, here and now, is “do not be distracted.” I’m thinking it’s our good and holy work to get past the noise and flash of the season and hear the heartbeat of our faith. That beautiful child. That gift from God. That love and that welcome, attention and care. Jesus, the Christ, here and now.    I’m thinking the presence of Christ can be a still, small voice in the midst of the ranting and raving. I’m thinking the light in the darkness is the calm and the peace that arrive when I put the blanket over my head, tune out the flash and the noise, and remember what really matters.

Let’s talk!

Pastor Paul

Saturday, Nov. 23:  Fall Bazaar, Bake Sale & Lunch, 9am-1pm Also, 1 pm: Open House at Thunderbird House Contact Pastor Paul if interested in attending.

Sunday, Nov. 24: We close out the season of Pentecost with Reign of Christ Sunday, and lift up our thanksgiving for God’s abundance in our lives. The UP Choir will be singing!Sunday Evening: In honor of his family visiting, Pastor Paul has reserved a few tables at Old Chicago Pizza from 5-7 pm. Come join us!  NOTE: Some folk will be walking over to Bentleyville that eve, and you’re welcome to join!

Monday, Nov. 25: There will be NO Bible Study this evening, as Pastor Paul will be out of town.

Tuesday, Nov. 26:**Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, 7 pm, Bethany Community Church. Local churches are gathering together to give thanks. Pastor Paul has a part in the service. Proceeds from offering are going to the Salvation Army. NOTE: There is a “pick-up choir” from all the churches gathering at 6 pm to practice. You are invited! No experience necessary!**Also, AA meets in Fellowship Hall, 7 pm

Wednesday, Nov. 27: There will be NO community potluck or choir practice as people are traveling for Thanksgiving. NOTE: If you are in need of assistance for Thanksgiving, please contact Pastor Paul.

Thursday, Nov. 28: AA meets in Fellowship Hall, 7 pm

Other Ministries and Events

**Thursday, Dec. 12: Cookie baking, 9 am. All are invited to come help bake & decorate Christmas cookies. More details coming.

**Saturday, Dec. 14: Bill Bastian & the Highland Quartet, 1:30 pm. Free of charge! Cookies & coffee in Fellowship Hall after concert. Bake sale to support the church.

From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday“He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son…”  ~Colossians 1:13    I smell the turkey…I see the steam rising from the mashed potatoes as they are stirred…I look closely at the stuffing to see what new alternatives were added for embellishment this year. (Giblets? Hope not!)…Thanksgiving is a feast of abundance in my world.    I’m lucky. I’m privileged. Just as I’m privileged to ask “what do you want for dinner?” any day of the week and (by and large) have the resources to accommodate my hankerin’ for the eve. I’m also blessed with family and friends. And while I’m at it, I’m still blessed with a metabolism that permits me to eat until full, or over-full, without hesitation.    Lucky boy, that one.    So, how do I say thank you? I acknowledge my fortune. I remember the times when the table was not spread so wide with abundance, nor the seats filled with loved ones. I remember that all of these good things I have here and now are by the grace of God, but also remember that there are systems in place in our world that create, and often keep separate, the “haves” from the “have nots.|    That’s where Jesus comes in. See, living (as I believe I presently do) in “the kingdom of His beloved Son” (to quote the letter above), I try to imagine my life as a walk with Jesus. I tend to walk a bit behind Peter, James and John on the trail, usually checking out the scenery, but I rush up beside Jesus when he talks and teaches and heals and loves. I like to think I’ve learned a thing or two, but the more I learn, the more it all seems to be a Holy Mystery.    …And when I sit at the table this Thursday, with all the food and friendship, I know Jesus is there, and I know all of that Holy Mystery is there, and I know Jesus isn’t just talking and sharing with the folks at the table, but he is looking around, offering a welcome and inviting those that weren’t anticipated…perhaps those that aren’t even wanted.    “Jesus!” I say, “Can’t I just eat in peace and abundance just this once?”    But Jesus doesn’t answer. For he knows that I know the lesson already. In his kingdom, all are fed. And as a disciple I know that if all aren’t fed, then he puts me to work.    Because when I was hungry, he put somebody else to work. When I was lonely, another disciple smiled at me and offered me a welcoming hand.    Beautiful Kingdom, isn’t it?

Let’s Talk!

Pastor Paul