HANDS & FEET PRAISE ~ LOVE ~ SERVE PRAISE~LOVE~SERVE PASTOR S LETTER. Christ s Community Church News. Continued on page 2...

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1 FEBRUARY 2014 HANDS & FEET Christ s Community Church News PRAISE ~ LOVE ~ SERVE PRAISE~LOVE~SERVE PASTOR S LETTER Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! My goodness, we ve had a cold month. I think every pastor in the upper mid-west (maybe everywhere) is tempted to comment on how unusually cold this winter has been. One merchant I was talking to put our collective feelings about this freezing weather quite well. She said, We ve all lost our sense of humor about winter. Well, I sure have, which is uncharacteristic of me. I ve always loved Minnesota and been a strong supporter of lots of snow and cold. I spent 7 years complaining about how hot the South is, so I ve always been grateful to be back where it isn t so hot even your clothes sweat. Nevertheless, my sense of humor is gone. I am not happy with this cold. It makes day to day living so much harder. But I also know that God calls us to be thankful in all things. So what have we to be thankful for in this cold weather? Here is a list of 5 reasons to give thanks to God for the cold: We hear many stories of kindness and generosity between strangers. Homeless shelters are expanding what they can offer so nobody is left in the cold. In Alabama, strangers were feeding strangers on the freeways during this past week s storm there. Check out what Chick-fil-A and Home Depot did to help people get through the snowstorm: Continued on page

2 PASTOR S LETTER cont. This cold means we, too, can be on the watch for more opportunities to be Christ s hands and feet to people affected by the weather. For example, why not bring additional mittens and hats to CCC? We ll be sure to get them to CROSS for people who need additional warmth. The days are a beautiful example of God s creation and remind us of its great diversity. Instead of glaring at the incessant whiteness surrounding us (I might have been doing this a bit lately), take out your camera and watch for the interesting patterns in the snowy landscapes. If you are feeling particularly brave, take a walk or go skiing. God s imagination is awe-inspiring. We have more time at home, slowing down our pace a bit. My kids are the happiest they ve been in a long time. We have had four unexpected cold days home from school this month. The kids have still been sick and definitely have some excess energy, but they are noticeably happier and more content. We have been playing games, spending much more evening time together with them, and it s wonderful to see them thrive. Cold weather might equal more time for each other! Finally, this time of slower paces and more limited options is an opportunity for us to spend more time with God, too. Increase your devotion time each day by even 5 minutes (or begin a devotional routine!) Take some time in these next few days to write a Lenten devotional for the members at CCC. Memorize a new favorite Scripture. Pray. Pray again. Or perhaps you will plan to join us for Sunday School starting February 2 nd as we learn about what it means to be spiritual and to live each day in Jesus name. Then pray. Again. It is my prayer that you are also finding things to give thanks to God for in this cold weather, or that this list will at least be a start! When we are thankful, God will always fill our hearts with peace cold or hot, wind or rain, sun or snow. In His Warmth, Sunday Worship February 2, 9:30 am Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Board Installation 2 Kings 2:1-14 February 9, 9:30 am Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Mission & Ministry Sunday Micah 6:1-8 Matthew 5:13-20 February 16, 9:30 am Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Lovefeast Matthew 22: Corinthians 13:1-13 February 23, 9:30 am Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 5: Corinthians 3:10, 11, Pastor Jenny The mission of Christ s community church is to: GLORIFY GOD AS WE LOVE AND SERVE OTHERS 2

3 CORE VALUES 1. Discipleship 2. Come as you are! 3. Family 4. Community Outreach 5. Children / Youth CCC VISION We see Christ s Community Moravian Church as a caring and accepting church, equipping people to serve, reaching out to the community, and sharing God s love as we invite people into the family of God. PASTORAL NEWS... PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES SLIPPERS AVAILABLE The Slipper Ministry wants you to know that there are always slippers available at CCC if you find a need. They are located in the Jericho Room. SIMPSON SHELTER Our next date for making sandwiches for Simpson Shelter is Sunday, February 9th following the service. UNITY PRAYER WATCH SENIOR WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY We have a great opportunity to join Maple Grove Lutheran s Senior Women s Bible Study group the third Thursday of every month at 12:00pm. Pastor Chris and Pastor Jenny will be sharing the leadership of this group. This year is an especially appropriate time to join in because the group will be using Moravian Bishop Kay Ward s Bible Study on the character of Hannah. All women who consider themselves seniors are welcome to join us! We next meet at noon on Thursday, February 20th. The potluck with Kay has been postponed until the March meeting. This month Tanzania, South, and Malawi are praying for the worldwide Moravian church, including us here at CCC! While we at C.C.C. believe that war is never good, we acknowledge that there is a need for our country to have a strong military presence. Below is an area where we honor our brave men and women serving in the military, to pray for them and to pray for peace. Sean O Rourke, Marine Corps, Okinawa, Japan Nephew of Kelly and Karen O Rourke Andrew Vetter-Galt Marine Reserves Nephew of Linda Vetter and Godfather to Noah Vetter Jim Helvig and Kendal Vetter Served in Afghanistan Cousins of Linda Vetter Tyler Lenartz, Army Jon Dart, Navy Sons of Linda Vetter s Cousins PRAYER CELLS Remember we said Prayer Cells are coming to CCC in 2014? Well, it s almost time! We ll be kicking off our prayer cells during Lent. Watch your March newsletter for more information! 3

4 THANK YOU... FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS: Feb. 2 Feb. 14 Feb. 14 Feb. 17 Feb. 20 Feb. 20 Feb. 24 Evan Moran Steve Ellingson John Rosca Kristi Bergstrom Jacob Anderson Wally Mortenson Terri Bischoff FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES: Feb. 1 Norm & Donna Buchta Wednesday, March 5 : Ash Wednesday, 7 pm Service Wednesday, March 12 Wednesday, April 9: 6 pm Soup Supper 7 pm Wednesday Lent Service 8 pm Choir Rehearsal March 14 March 18: Holy Week Service each night 4

5 VOLUNTEERS today in the life February 2 February 9 February 16 February 23 Welcome & Announcements/ Offering Prayer: Kristi B. Pastor Jenny M. Dale B. PowerPoint: Brad C. Skylar E. Jim H. Scriptures: Pastor Jenny M. Nora H.S. Terre S. Paul S. Ushers / Greeters (2): Kay G. & Barb K. Steve & Brenda E. Greg & Pat J. Nursery: Corinne O. Karene H. Barb K. Barb K. Children s Chat: Ted B. Pastor Jenny M. Linda V. Jenn S. Snak & Yak Host: Marian M. James K. Kelly S. Treats: Linda T. Maureen C. Kristi B. Beth K. Prayers of the Church: Pastor Jenny M. Donna N. Karen O. Pastor Jenny M. Praise Singers (2): Marian M. & Kelly S. Noel & Kristin J. Janet B. & Norm B. Terre S. & Karen O. TREASURER S REPORT today in the life E-Giving: If you would like sign up for e-giving (have your tithe/donation go directly from your bank account to the church s account on a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly basis) please see Janet Ohrt for a form. General Fund/Operating Account Month Beg. Bal. Receipts Disbursements Balance Oct. $ (383.14) $ 12, $ 11, $ Nov. $ $ 13, $ 9, $ 4, Dec. $ 4, $ 16, $ 17, $ 2, YTD $ $ 153, $ 151, $ 2, All 2013 obligations paid except for the Provincial Quotas $11,563 December 2013 Designated Funds Occasion/Cause Total District Loan Principle Red. $ Maintenance Reserve $ Pastor's Emergency Fund $ 1, Cook Book Fund $ Total: $ 1, Operating Accounts Date Weekly Receipts 1-Dec-13 $ 7, Dec-13 $ Dec-13 $ 1, Dec-13 $ Dec-13 $ 1, Dec-13 $ 1, Dec-13 $ Dec-13 $ 2, Dec-13 $ 1, Worship Attendance Date Kids Staff Adults Total 1-Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec CONGREGATIONAL WATCHWORD 2014 SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, CALL UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR. ISAIAH 55:6 5

6 January 11, 2014 GRACEFUL JOURNEY PROJECT PRESENTED BY THE MN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES PASTORAL NEWS CONT... Approved Annual Goals For Worship: We will reassess worship from a variety of different perspectives. The Worship Team will lead this worship Assessment which will include a congregational survey. The Worship Team will give the Joint Board a report in August Community: We will develop prayer cells of 2-3 people who covenant to meet regularly to check in with each other and spend time in prayer. Mission and Service: We will dedicate one Sunday service as a Mission & Ministry Day to help raise awareness of God s existing service opportunities for our congregation. Leadership: We will sponsor Leadership Workshops for the Joint Boards throughout the year led by Rev. Jim Hicks, Western District President. Stewardship: We will have regular Trustee Minutes for Ministry during worship. The Trustees will take this opportunity to teach the congregation about different aspects of CCC s finances. Spiritual Formation: We will develop a comprehensive children s program, including establishing a 4-5 person Christian Education team to plan Sunday School, VBS, and other programs, as well as develop a nursery committee. Purpose: We will hold a workshop or retreat that will highlight Moravian heritage and explore Moravian mission and ministry today. 6

7 PASTORAL NEWS CONT... SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School for all ages resumes this Sunday, February 2nd, at 10:45am. The Board of Elders and Christian Ed Team reviewed your feedback regarding Sunday School and the majority of people were in favor of keeping Sunday School after worship, with the additional experiment of making the 2nd Sunday of the month a fellowship/service Sunday. That means the adult Sunday School class will not meet after worship on the 2nd Sunday and instead the adults can have a nice long time of fellowship during Snak and Yak while also making sandwiches for the Simpson Shelter. We are going to reassess then in the summer to see if that addressed the desire not to shortchange fellowship and service. Pastor Jenny will be teaching the adult class on spiritual transformation with the topic, "Living Each Day in Jesus Name." The goal of this class is to help you define spiritual life and then live it as Jesus would life it. Each week you will do your own Bible study guided by the book and experiment with different spiritual exercises. Our class time will be discussion oriented. Hope to see you there! CHRIST S COMMUNITY CHURCH ELDERS MINUTES Elders met on January 6, 2014 Audio/Visual Training - This is still in progress. Ted will follow through. There is a need to sign up another person in the rotation. Sunday School Time Schedule Update - This continues to be an area of discussion. There is no simple answer. The elders are working on a solution in partnership with the Christian Ed Team. We will get feedback from the congregation through and written responses. Youth Sunday School Class It has been working well with the time of the class following the church service. Sr. High Sunday School We are in need of a teacher. It was decided that Paul and Nick L. can work to take this over. Brad C. has topics and lessons developed for a period of time. Adult Options Human sexuality Bible Study Time Change - This will take place after Sunday School and will include a lunch. There will be 2 or 3 sessions. This format will allow all to attend. We will ask Gary Marsh if he is able to co-lead one session with Pastor Jenny. March to May Adult Sunday School Topic(s) - Pastor Jenny will lead a study Living Each Day in Jesus Name from Feb-March. We will look at other options for April/May. Provincial Grant Possibility - Ted moves that we seek additional information on grant possibilities through the Redevelopment Fund in order to pursue growth in Ministries and community development. We would work toward an outreach position to help achieve growth. Paul seconded this motion. Motion passed. To further the grant application and to solidify the plans, another committee will be formed to work to ward this goal. The plans will have a strong outreach orientation. Respectfully Submitted, Casey Langseth Typed by Ted Bergstrom 7

8 PASTORAL NEWS CONT... CCC ANNUAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 26, 2014 MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES: *Comforter Ministry *Slipper Ministry *Men s Breakfast *Young Adults *Prayer Ministry *TeleCare Ministry *Music Ministry *Mission Trip *Sunday School: Adult *Sunday School: Youth *C.R.O.S.S. Food Shelf *Prison Ministry *Simpson Shelter *Habitat for Humanity *Salvation Army Bell Ringing *Operation Christmas Child *Hat & Mitten Tree *Mission Concert *MN Teen Challenge *Gideons International *Board of World Mission *Moravian Open Door *Carry the Cross *World Relief Pastor Jenny Moran called the meeting to order and confirmed quorum 32 members present, need 26 to pass. Pastor Jenny Moran read a devotion from Oswald Chambers and opened with prayer. Pastor Jenny Moran recognized tellers and asked for a volunteer to keep minutes (Brian Nelson). Greg Jones read an appreciation for service: Thanked all staff, volunteers, and board members Thanked committee members and all member involvement Highlighted all ministry outreach Pastor Jenny Moran recognized Brad Carlson, Ted Bergstrom and Kelly O Rourke for their service over the past year and presented them with a small gift. Paul Straumann presented the nominating committee candidates: For Elders: Norm Buchta and Corinne Omberg For Trustees: Gene Heupel Motioned by Wally Mortenson and seconded by Bruce Kalland to elect nominees by acclamation. Motion carried. Pastor Jenny Moran presented the team reports from the 2013 year. Pastor Jenny Moran referenced the 2013 At a Glance pamphlet and proposed narrative budget to show where the gifts of the church are going with pictures, scriptures, and testimonies. Pastor Jenny Moran called Greg Jones forward to present the proposed 2014 budget. Greg Jones referenced the meeting from last week (Jan. 19, 2014) where Dale Beumer went through all the line items. Greg Jones gave background of discussions with Rev. Jim Hicks informing the budget to not sacrifice programs/ministries The proposed budget for 2014 is meant to be able to pay all quotas and keep all programs. With savings of less expense for office administrator and pianist, only an increase 1.5% in giving for proposed budget Greg Jones motioned meeting the provincial quotas will create some forgiveness of past year quotas. Bruce Kalland confirmed that the Pastor s insurance and pension is now paid to date. Kelly O Rourke motioned to accept the budget. Wally Mortenson seconded. Passed unanimously. Pastor Jenny Moran presented the 2014 Provincial Budget. Pastor Jenny Moran referenced the CCC Mission Statement and Core Values and presented the 2014 Annual Goals formed from the Joint Board retreat. Ted Bergstrom drew the CCC 2014 Congregational Watchword Isaiah 55:6. Casey Langseth motioned for adjournment. Pat Jones seconded. Church council meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Brian Nelson Typed by Dianne Omoth 8

9 WESTERN DISTRICT NEWS... From the Provincial Ecumenical Officer February 2014 January 30 I expect to be in Chicago for the annual meeting of the editorial team of Giving, the annual financial stewardship resource published by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. In magazine format, each annual issue of Giving presents articles about financial stewardship and a program for an annual congregational stewardship emphasis. The provincial stewardship office provides Giving for each congregation in the province. I have been appointed by Gary March, provincial director of stewardship, to serve on the editorial team. The main tasks of the editorial team are (1) to decide on biblical texts and theme for each year, (2) to recruit writers, (3) to choose later a Giving cover from several designs presented, and (4) sometimes to write reviews of books or other stewardship resources. This really is an ecumenical process. The editor is from the Church of the Brethren. We meet at the national officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located near Chicago s O Hare Airport. Design and illustration are handled in the national office of the Reformed Church in America in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Denominations from both Canada and the United States are represented (and I remember that the Northern Province includes both nations). Though officially I represent the North, I have recruited writers from both Northern and Southern Provinces. The current editor works to make sure that we include some writers who are young adults. Giving and the Ecumenical Stewardship Center are but one of many arenas in which we work with other denominations. (Many pastors have attended stewardship events sponsored by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center.) Some of these situations of working together are national, some state or regional, some local. Here we benefit from the gifts of persons from other groups, and as Moravians we share our gifts beyond our own denomination. When we more often hear about the divisions and differences among Christians than the ways we work together, it is good to remember the many positive results of collaboration. Lord God, we thank you that we are part of your church, which embraces all nations and languages, old and young, poor and rich, some powerful and many unimportant in the eyes of the world. Help us always to remember that your church is bigger than our congregation or denomination. Enable us to see more ways we can together work with others on matters important to you, like telling the story of Jesus and seeking to follow Jesus, both in our individual lives and in our life together. Amen. Hermann I. Weinlick Ecumenical Officer Moravian Church Northern Province 9

10 CROSS NEWS... To Contact the Pastor Reverend Jennifer Moran th Avenue Maple Grove, MN (763) Office: Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Closed Fridays Church Administrator: Dianne Omoth Church Treasurer: Bruce Kalland To Contact an Elder: Casey Langseth (2016) (612) Paul Straumann (2016) (763) Norm Buchta (2017) (763) Corinne Omberg (2017) (763) To Contact a Trustee: CROSS is the only food shelf serving Osseo, Maple Grove, West Champlin, Rogers, Dayton, & Corcoran Greg Jones (2015) (612) gapajones@comcast.net Dale Beumer (2016) (612) djbeumer01@hotmail.com Gene Heupel (2017) (763) gheupel@comcast.net 10

11 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2-9:30 am: Worship Service Board Installation -10:30 am: Snak & Yak -10:45 am: Sunday School for all ages 9-9:30 am: Worship Service Mission & Ministries Sunday -10:30 am: Snak & Yak -10:30 am: Simpson Sandwiches -10:45 am: Sunday School for children only -11:30 am : Baby Shower 16-9:30 am: Worship Service 6th Sunday after the Epiphany Lovefeast -10:30 am: Snak & Yak -10:45 am: Sunday School for all ages 23-9:30 am: Worship Service 7th Sunday after the Epiphany -10:30 am: Snak & Yak -10:45 am: Sunday School for all ages 3-10:00 am: Worship Team Meeting at IHOP -4:00 to 5:00 pm: Girl Scout Troop #16647 Navas Driving School 10-9:30 am: MOMS Club Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 pm: Comforter/Slipper Bible Study Navas Driving School 17 President's Day Navas Driving School Pastor Jenny out of the office 24-9:30am: Pastor Jenny Lectionary Meeting in Chaska 6:00 to 8:00 pm: Comforter/Slipper Bible Study Navas Driving School :00 to 8:00 pm: Girl Scout Troop # :00 to 8:00 pm: Choir 12-7:00 to 8:00 pm: Choir 6 13 Pastor Jenny out of the office Feb. 10th through Feb. 17th 19-7:00 to 8:00 pm: Choir 26-9:30 am: Osseo Gardens/The Villas Services -7:00 to 8:00 pm: Choir 20-12:00 pm: Potluck at Senior Women s Bible Study MGLC Office Closed -5:30 to 6:30 pm: Girl Scouts Troop # Valentine s Day -Office Closed 21 -Office Closed 28 -Office Closed -5:30 to 6:30 pm: Girl Scouts Troop # :00 am: Men s Breakfast -9:00 am to Noon: Board Retreat

12 AROUND THE COMMUNITY today in the life Christ s Community Church rd Avenue North Maple Grove, Minnesota