Pastor s Pen: The RE Work of God

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1 Something new is happening at Christ the Servant as we participate in Mission Redevelopment. To describe the new thing God is always doing in and through us, both as individuals and as a community, the bible uses a bunch of RE words. RESCUED: He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again. 2 Corinthians 1:10 REDEEMED: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7 RECONCILED: For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10 RENEWED: He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 RESTORED: When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes. Jeremiah 29:13-14 REBORN: Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. John 3:3 Cross & Cradle Newsletter November 2018 Christ the Servant Lutheran Church 3676 Centerville Road Vadnais Heights, MN office@cslcvh.org Pastor s Pen: The RE Work of God We are being rescued, redeemed, reconciled, renewed, restored, and reborn. We could add many others to this list, including the best of all, resurrected! RESURRECTED: By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 God s RE work is happening among us all the time. This is what Mission Redevelopment is all about! The covenant we made with God, the ELCA, and one another when I accepted the call to serve as Pastor and Redeveloper in July 2017 states: Redevelopment is first and foremost a spiritual process for individual members of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church as well as the congregation as a whole. It is re-rooting in the good news of Jesus Christ and getting God s dream for this ministry in focus. It is not a one-person project. It is God s project among us. It is not just about this congregation. It is about changing the world. Nov 4th All Saints Sunday Nov 11th Veterans Recognized New Member Sunday Nov 18th Stewardship Sunday Congregation Meeting 10:15am Church Events continued on next page Nov 21st Thanksgiving Eve Service 7:00PM Followed by a Pie Fest! Nov 25 th Christ The King (Servant) Sunday The Sunday School will begin rehearsing for their Christmas program during the month of November during Sunday School at 10:15am. Program: Dec. 9th

2 continued from page 1 One of my dreams for our journey together is that EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY when we talk about Mission Redevelopment we would see it as a season of preparation for Sharing with God, one another, and the world becoming, once again, a vibrant mission outpost from hearts of gratitude. in our neighborhood for the next generation and beyond, not simply as life support to ensure our survival for another couple years. God has guided this church through 50 plus years of faithful ministry and I dream of a church that is deeply rooted in the good news, God s dream, and loving service for at least another 50 years! I believe God s RE work is and always has been happening among us to rescue, redeem, reconcile, renew, restore, give rebirth to, and resurrect our families, our church, our community, and the world. Mission Redevelopment is about God s RE work among us and it begins with God s redevelopment of the DREAM BIG: Creating a Vision for Our Future heart, faith, and calling of every member of this Christ the Servant members will be receiving a church. letter in the mail this month with an invitation to join It begins with you! And it begins with me! In Christ, Pastor Chris Steubing P.S Have you witnessed God s RE work happening in you and in our church? I would love to hear about it. Congregational Meeting Sunday, November 18 10:15 AM Your presence is requested for a congregational meeting to provide a report from Pastor Chris and the Redevelopment and Renewal Team, as well as a financial and stewardship update. Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee will begin work to replace members of the Church Council whose terms are ending this year. If you are interested in serving on the Church Council or on one of the committees/ teams of the congregation, please be in touch with the Executive Committee of the Church Council: Vinnie Berger, Susan Rensted, Rick Gittins, Tom Farm. in DREAMING BIG about God s future for our congregation. In October and November we will hear testimonies from our church s ministry teams which represent the 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations: Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, RiskTaking Mission & Service, and Extravagant Generosity. IMPORTANT UPCOMING STEWARDSHIP DATES You are invited and encouraged to consider and pray about the R&R Team s Report & Recommendations which will be made available later this month. A formal report from the R&R Team will be shared at a congregational meeting on Sunday, November 18, along with financial and stewardship updates. In mid-november, FAITH PROMISE CARDS will be mailed to homes including a request for faithful consideration of how each member or household will invest in God s BIG DREAM through Christ the Servant for the upcoming year. On Sunday, December 2, we will bring our Faith Promise cards forward as part of the offering followed by a celebration brunch after worship. Thank you for your investment in the mission of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church! Extravagant Generosity Team Questions or Concerns Tom Farm - Roger Gullickson - Lois McKeag Sandy Meyer - Mike Woehrle

3 RADICAL HOSPITALITY November 1 December 20 (7 week Session/No Class Thanksgiving Day) Chair yoga: 3:45 PM Craft/Project Day Saturday, November 17 Come join us for a fun day of crafting, sewing, scrapbooking, card-making, or whatever else you want to do. We'll meet on Saturday, November 17th, from 9 AM to 9 PM. Bring your own lunch and perhaps a snack to share. Come anytime and stay as long as you wish. ALL are welcome! Invite your friends, neighbors, family members. Contact: Leila Horazdovsky Caring Friends Ministry Upcoming Visit Caring Friends is a ministry of friendship to homebound members of our congregation. Visits can be simply a one-on-one chat with a special friend, a group visit, or even the sharing of a meal or birthday celebration. All that is needed to be a Caring Friend is a smile and caring spirit. Our next group visit will be Monday, November 5, leaving church at 3:45pm. Special Cancer Center Day A new outreach project for this ministry will be the making of special bookmarks and cozy rice bags to share with patients in treatment at the Maplewood Cancer Center. On Saturday, November 17 at 9:00 AM, we will gather at church to work on these projects. Any questions contact Debbie Erickson. Huruma Centre Coffee Offerings On the third Sunday of every month our coffee hour donations go to Friends of Huruma, an affiliate of Bega Kwa Bega, a joint ministry of The Saint Paul Area Synod, ELCA, & The Iringa Diocese, ELCT, to help support a safe and nurturing home and education for the children of the Huruma Centre. In October we sent $44, bringing our total donations to $ October Red Cross Blood Drive Report Thank you to all who donated and/or helped with the Blood Drive in October. With twenty -seven pints of blood collected, we exceeded our goal by one unit. Our next Blood Drive will be Saturday, January 26, from 9 AM to 3 PM. (Signup sheet is available!) 2019 God s Creation Calendars Beautiful God s Creation 2019 calendars are still available. Cost is $7, with proceeds going to Youth Mission. Get yours in the hall under the Risk Taking Mission & Service bulletin board! Christmas Giving Tree Plans have been made to have the Giving Tree up by Thanksgiving! RISK TAKING MISSION & SERVICE Free Bread Distribution Every Tuesday from 9 AM until 6 PM (or until bread is gone), we sponsor a free bread distribution for the community. The church and other community members help by picking up the bread, setting the bread out on tables, providing bags and gloves and friendly smiling faces! Join the group for coffee round the table about 8 to 8:30.

4 PASSIONATE WORSHIP All Saints Sunday November 4 We will observe this special day with a time to remember those who have gone before us to their heavenly home. Candles will be available to light and time set aside for meditation and prayer Sunday, November 11 Sunday, November 11th is the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day, a day that honors the cause of world peace and a day, now called Veterans Day, that honors the men and women who have selflessly served their country in this regard. We will set aside a time during our service to acknowledge and thank our Veterans. Thank You for your service! Hanging of the Greens Thursday, November 29, 6:30 PM The church will be decorated for Advent and Christmas. All are welcome to come and help! All Congregational Advent Festival First Sunday in Advent December 2nd 2:00 4:00pm Join us Sunday, December 2, from 2:00-4:00 PM to celebrate the beginning of Advent. Enjoy an afternoon of music, crafts, snacks and worship. There are many ways to participate in this festival. Simply come and enjoy. Bring a friend! Provide a snack to share. Or maybe you or your ministry group would like to sponsor a craft or gift-making idea. All levels of participation are welcomed! The afternoon will end with an Advent Candle Lighting service and prayer. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:30 Sunday, November 4-10:30AM Are you new to Christ the Servant? Join a conversation with Pastor Chris to discover who we are as a church and how you can get connected and grow in your faith. Thanksgiving Eve Worship Wednesday, November 21, 7:00 PM While we gather to give thanks for all we have, we will also have an opportunity to share our bounty with others. Please bring a non-perishable food item (or two) to offer to those in need through the Vadnais Heights Food Shelf. Pie and coffee will be served after the service. Bring your favorite pie or dessert to share! New Member Sunday November 11 We will be receiving new members to our congregation during the 9:00am Worship Service. If you are interested in becoming a member, please call or the church office, so we can reach out to you with more information.

5 INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY Sunday School Age 3 through 5th Grade Women s Fall Bible Study Saturday, November 10 & 24 9:00 10:30 AM Questions: Jodi Intihar Beginning Sunday, November 4 The Sunday School children will begin preparing for their presentation of the Christmas story in November during the Sunday School hour. T was The Evening Before Christmas when all through the town every inn was so crowded delivers the message of Christ s birth incorporating the animals of the stable, the nearby shepherds, and the visiting Magi into the retelling. We will journey with them as they find their way to a very special manger in Bethlehem. Confirmation (6th 9th Grade) Family Night Nov. 7 6:30--8:00pm Commandments Overview Nov.14 6:30--8:00pm--6th Commandment Nov.21 No Confirmation Thanksgiving Eve Nov.28 6:30--8:00pm--7th Commandment WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Two Bible Study groups meet at 10:00am on Wednesday morning. One group is studying the Ten Commandments (studying the scriptures and themes for the upcoming Sunday worship). A second small group is gathered to continue to study books of the Bible current study the New Testament book of Galatians. All are welcome! The Adult Faith Formation group will continue looking at the Ten Commandments during November. When the Ten Commandments study is completed, they will continue with further studies in the Catechism. They welcome anyone interested to join them in the Library at 6:30 PM. Note: Class will be cancelled on Thanksgiving Eve.

6 SERVING SUNDAYS IN NOVEMBER CELEBRATING MILESTONES U S H E R S: November 4: Janet Higgins, Mary Barlau November 11: Glen & Dianne Johnson November 18: Loretta Markham Roger Gullickson November 21: Thanksgiving Eve November 25: Linda Splittstoesser Linda Wigdahl READERS: November 4: Peter Songster November 11: Stanleigh Barbie November 18: Pam Irgens November 25: Sarah Kelvie COMMUNION SERVERS: Nov 4: Bread: Pastor Chris, Bob Lehner Wine: Susan Rensted, Amy Steubing Basket: Cheryl Intihar, Jan Higgins Nov 18: Bread: Pastor Chris Wine: Pam Irgens Basket: Kathy Schlosser SOUND/VIDEO: November 4: Tom Farm November 11: Marge & Tom Prokosch November 18: Steve Horazdovsky November 21: Thanksgiving Eve November 25: Tim Kelvie COFFEE SERVERS: November 4: Leila Horazdovsky, Loretta Markham November 11: Sandy L. Johnson, Charlie Steffen November 18: Jan Higgins, Helena Chamblin November 25: Clareen & Norm Nelson PLEASE NOTE The bulletin board in the hallway of the narthex has sign-up sheets for upcoming months. Please note if you are interested in serving, please sign up!! Nov 4 Debra Suiter Nov 7 Gary Suiter Nov 8 Ashley Barnes Nov 9 Debra Erickson Nov 10 Susan Rowe Nov 11 Zack Van Hove Nov 13 Addie Berger Nov 13 Xander Berger Nov 13 Trudy Cramlet Birthdays This Month Nov 15 Vanessa Walker Nov 15 Sabrina Wright Nov 18 Mary Ann Karrick Nov 19 Marlie Mercil Nov 19 Mike Woehrle Nov 19 Samantha Woehrle Nov 21 Mary Holtz Nov 28 Kathryn Larson Nov 30 Tim Kelvie We extend prayers for God s Blessing on your Birthday!! Wedding Anniversaries This Month November 7 November 20 Tom & Janice Jordan Tom & Jacquelyn Farm We extend prayers for God s Blessing as you celebrate your Wedding Anniversary! If we have missed your milestone or have incorrect information, please contact the church office at (651) or

7 November 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 28 Reformation Sunday 9:00AM Worship 12:00-7:30pm Pumpkin Patch 29 2:00-7:30pm Pumpkin Patch 30 9:00AM--6:00 Free Bread Distribution 2:00-7:30pm Pumpkin Patch (Halloween) 31 2:00-7:30pm Pumpkin Patch No Evening Bible Study Confirmation Class 1 Yoga Devotion/ Chair 6:30PM C.C. Executive Committee 2 4:00 PM Worship Team All Saints Day Set-up 6:00PM VH Elem - Overflow Parking Fall Festival 3 8:30 AM Men s Breakfast & Discussion 4 All Saints Day Day Light Saving Ends 9:00AM Worship/ Communion (Christmas Program Rehearsal) 10:30AM Conversation with Pastor Chris 5 Caring Friends 9:00AM--6:00 Free Bread 6:30PM Worship Team 6 6:30PM Bible Study Ten Commandments 6:30PM Confirmation Class Family Night 7 8 Yoga Devotion/ Chair 6:45PM Council Forum 7:00PM Church Council :00 AM Women s Bible Study 11 Twenty Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Veterans Day 9:00AM Worship (Christmas Program Rehearsal) 12 9:00AM--6:00 Free Bread Distribution :00PM Senior HiLites 6:30PM Confirmation Class 6:30PM Bible Study Ten Commandments 15 Yoga Devotion/ Chair. 16 7:45AM VH Elem - Overflow Parking Grandparents Day 17 9:00 AM Craft & Project Day 9:00 AM Special Cancer Project Day Stewardship Sunday 18 Twenty Sixth Sunday After Pentecost 9:00AM Worship/ Communion 10:00AM Congregation Meeting (Christmas Program Rehearsal) 19 9:00AM--6:00 Free Bread Distribution 20 No Confirmation Class 21 7:00PM Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service Pie Fest Following the Service :00 AM Women s Bible Study 25 Christ the King (Servant) Sunday 9:00AM Worship (Christmas Program Rehearsal) 1:00PM Holiday Painting on Wood :00AM--6:00 Free Bread Distribution 28 12:00PM Senior HiLites 6:30PM Confirmation Class 6:30PM Bible Study 29 Yoga Devotion/ Chair 6:30PM Hanging of the Greens 8:00AM VH Elem - Overflow Parking Donuts With Dads 30 1

8 Christ the Servant Lutheran Church 3676 Centerville Road Vadnais Heights, MN JOIN US SUNDAY MORNINGS 9:00 AM EDUCATION HOUR 10:15 AM Pastor: Chris Steubing Ministry Coordinator: Sandy Hammerlind Church Office (651)