HANDS & FEET. Christ s Community Moravian Church. August Pastor s Letter. Mark Your Calendar

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1 August 2015 Christ s Community Moravian Church HANDS & FEET Mark Your Calendar 8.2 Holy Communion 9:30 am Kids Summer Party 10:30 am 8.8 Men s Breakfast 8 am 8.9 Simpson Sandwiches 10:30 am Pastor Jenny in North Carolina 8.16 Moravian Lovefeast 9:30 am Pastor Jenny and family on vacation 8.23 Guest Speaker, James Keegan 8.29 Rosca/Hawks Wedding 3:00 pm 8.30 Camp Sunday 9:30 am Pastor s Letter Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Greetings in the middle of these beautiful summer months! I am writing this from Camp Mindyy, the 2 nd -5 th grade camp I co-direct in Alexandria. The kids are learning that Our God is Awesome! The Lego Movie gives our program shape as we learn about Moses and the burning bush, Jesus walking on water, and all the ways God is awesome and has made us awesome, too! We have been learning about how ordinary people do awesome things with God s power. Emmet, the main character in The Lego Movie, is a totally unremarkable guy. But as the movie progresses, he learns that he is pretty amazing just the way he is. Awesome, even. All people who do awesome things are ordinary people who have acted on the gifts God has given them. God has gifted everyone you and me with awesomeness of some kind. It s sometimes hard for us to talk about our awesomeness. It feels a bit arrogant to say, I m awesome! But recognizing our own awesomeness is a way for us to offer thanks to God for who he has created us to be. You ARE awesome, because our awesome God has made you. Find that awesomeness Continued and on page share 2... it with others! Continued on page

2 Pastor s Letter continued... We can also look for the awesomeness in other people. What is it about the person you sit next to in worship that makes them awesome? What about your neighbor is awesome? We ve spent the week at camp pointing out what is awesome about each other. Try it sometime! Tell others why they are awesome! In the Gospels, Jesus tells us that we are awesome, and he does it in beautiful language. He says, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.i do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends. There is nothing more awesome than being Jesus friend. Love is awesome. As Diana Butler Bass wrote, Love draws us all into the circle of God s eternal friendship. Awesome! May we all share God s love and awesomeness with our family, friends, and community. Our God is awesome! In Him, Pastor Jenny (it s a new record I used some form of the word awesome 24 times in one letter!) Out of the Office Dates August Pastor Jenny will be in North Carolina attending a meeting of the Moravian Ministry Foundation. She will have limited access to her phone and , but will check when she is able. August 17 through August 26 Pastor Jenny and her family will be on vacation! Please contact an Elder with your Pastoral care needs during this time. 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. APPROVED ANNUAL GOALS Worship: We will develop a Drama Team. Community: We will develop an Outreach Team. Mission and Service: We will explore Redevelopment Fund Opportunities. Leadership: We will offer leadership training opportunities led by District/Provincial representatives, and Board training. Stewardship: We will end the year with a balanced budget! Spiritual Formation: We will preach, teach, and learn with the Narrative Lectionary Purpose: We will update our Building Use Policy. 2

3 THE MISSION OF CHRIST S COMMUNITY CHURCH IS TO: GLORIFY GOD AS WE LOVE AND SERVE OTHERS Thank You Simpson Housing Services thanks us for donating 150 sandwiches to help provide services for men, women and children experiencing homelessness. Baby News Congratulations to Mike and Katie Newman on the birth of their daughter, Stella Louise! She was born on Friday, July 3rd. She weighed 7 lbs., 13 oz. and was 19 inches long. Also, congratulations to proud grandparents Dale & Janet Beumer! Worship Opportunities August 2 9:30 am Wisdom: Love and Passion Song of Solomon 2:10-13; 9:6-7 August 9 9:30 am Hebrews: God Has Spoken Hebrews 1:1-4 Summertime Fun Time! Kids, after worship grab a snack and head out onto the patio to enjoy the lovely weather! We ll have lawn games to play with just ask an adult to join you! The patio doors will be open and all are welcome to share in fellowship in the beauty of God s creation! Moravian Daily Texts 2016 Pre-order your 2016 Moravian Daily Text today! The office will be ordering on Tuesday, August 11th to receive a 15% discounted price. Please contact the office or sign up by Sunday, Aug. 9th. Don t miss out! The prices below reflect the discounted price with shipping and handling. The books will be delivered and ready for pick up in October. Journal Edition $15.00 Hardcover Edition $14.00 Large Print Edition $13.00 Paperback Edition $10.00 August 16 9:30 am Moravian Lovefeast Hebrews: Praise for Those Being Tested Hebrews 2:10-18 August 23 9:30 am Guest Speaker, James Keegan August 30 9:30 am Camp Sunday Hebrews 9:1-14 3

4 Outreach Opportunities Month of August CROSS food shelf needs : Juice and Hand Soap August 9 10:30 am. Our next date for making sandwiches for Simpson Shelter following worship service. Slipper Ministry Do you know anyone who could use an extra hug to lift their spirits? The Slipper Ministry is here to help! Slippers are available in a basket on the table by the kitchen. Feel free to take a pair of slippers to a family member, friend, or co-worker to help raise them up. What a blessing that we can provide warmth, love and support through the slippers made at CCC. Thank you Slipper Ministry for providing God s work through your gifted knitting hands! Volunteer Opportunities Due to busy summer schedules, we are looking for volunteers to glorify God as we love and serve others at CCC! Sign up to be a Praise Singers this summer! Help us lead songs during worship with your God given talent of singing for His glory. We need two Praise singers for Sunday, August 23rd. Or, help refuel our bodies as a Snak & Yak/Treats Volunteer! This person would bring in treats for the congregation, make the coffee/drinks, set out the treats & beverages, and do clean-up afterwards. We need volunteers for Sunday, August 23rd and Sunday, August 30th. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the office. We are grateful for our wonderful volunteers and appreciate you all! Fellowship Opportunities Sunday, August 16 All are welcome to join Waconia Moravian Church in celebrating 100 years of spreading the love of Jesus Christ to neighbors near and far! 9 am Worship Service 10:15 am Celebration Service 11:15 am Catered Lunch 1:30 3:30 pm Live Music by Traveled Ground & a Sugar Cake Social in City Square Park Please RSVP via to wmoravian@gmail.com or call Sunday, September 6 Outdoor Worship and Fellowship for CCC at Elm Creek Reserve! The Board of Elders is hosting outdoor worship on Sept. 6 th at Elm Creek Park Reserve. Please join us for at 9:30am at Elm Creek Park Reserve by the large playground (Enter park at Elm Creek Blvd roundabout, just north of CCC. Once in the park, follow James Deane Parkway all the way to the playground/ swimming pond. Playground will be on the left side of large parking area and swimming pond will be on the right side). Bring a chair and your own lunch. We ll have a simple worship service led by Pastor Jenny and then take the time to relax by the lake enjoying fellowship with one another. We hope to see you there! Patio Brick Opportunity If you would like to purchase an engraved brick for the CCC patio, now is your chance! The engraving will consist of three lines with up to 20 characters per line. Bricks can be purchased for $50.00 each with all proceeds going toward the CCC Operating Budget. Order forms are available in the SAAL or can be ed to you. For any questions, please contact Kelly O Rourke at or korourke@belronusa.com 4

5 Adult Christian Education We are going to try something new with Christian Ed for adults in Because our Sunday morning adult attendance is relatively low, we are going to offer two different Christian Ed and spiritual growth opportunities. All are welcome to participate in either or both! The first is a book study group Sabbath in the Suburbs. Sabbath in the Suburbs is one family s experiment with holy time. Essentially, they practiced a weekly Sabbath, spending one full day a week resting from work and achievement. The book walks us through one month at a time, describing how this family found a way for Sabbath to be effective and possible to keep, even in the midst of their busy suburban schedule. We will read one chapter a month while ourselves practicing Sabbath in whatever way works for ourselves or our families. Many of us experience life at full throttle and often we say we need a break or need to slow down in order not to burn out. This opportunity for spiritual growth will offer us all some tools to slow down and rest in God s time. There are monthly materials we will use for the book group. Watch for dates and times in the September newsletter. If you are interested in being part of this study, please order a book with Dianne in our office for $15. The second study is an informal regular gathering in a local coffee shop. Pastor Jenny will be available for conversation, questions, and theological discussions on whatever topic you choose. You can come as often as you wish, with whatever thoughts or questions are on your mind. The Board of Elders would like to encourage each of us to have the opportunity to talk to one another about God, our faith, and our questions. Please watch for dates, times, and locations in the September newsletter. Save the Dates August 2 10:30 am. Kids Sumer Party! All kids are welcome as Emily and Sophie Moran host a summer party in the Sunday room. They are planning games, crafts and an art fair. Hope you ll be there! September 6 9:30 am. Outdoor worship and fellowship at Elm Creek Park Reserve by the large playground. Bring a chair and your own lunch. We ll have a simple worship service led by Pastor Jenny and then take the time to relax by the lake enjoying fellowship with one another. There will be no worship at Christ s Community. We hope to see you there! September 20 9:30 am. Rally Sunday! The Christian Ed Team is very excited to kick off another year of Sunday! This year s Sunday theme is Amazing Grace. After worship on the 20 th, we ll have an outdoor party with lawn games and a special treat from our resident scientists. Come see all the amazing things God does in our world! September 20 10:45 am. KidPack resumes! As a great way to kick off Rally Sunday, all are welcome to help the Sunday children pack weekend food bags for kids at Park Brook Elementary. September 25 1:45 pm. Deliver KidPack bags to Park Brook Elementary. Meet at CCC to help load bins into vehicles and carpool to the school. There will be a sign-up sheet to volunteer out soon! 5

6 Couple s Retreat October Come Join Us You ll Have A Great Time! When: Friday, October 23 Sunday, October 25, 2015 Location: Oakridge Conference Center, Chaska, MN You will have the option to arrive either Friday evening or Saturday morning. For Friday arrivals, join us outside around the fire pit say, 8p for some good conversation and snacks/beverages. For Saturday arrivals, our day starts with breakfast from 8-9:30a. We ll finish the retreat around noon on Sunday. Information on Saturday and Sunday s agenda will be provided in the upcoming weeks. Cost per couple: Cost per couple includes hotel room; Saturday breakfast and lunch; Sunday breakfast; snacks/ beverages throughout the weekend and taxes/ service charges. This does not include dinner on Saturday evening. One night stay: $ two payments of $ Two night stay: $ two payments of $ Registration deadline: Monday, August 24th 1st payment due: Monday, August 24th; final payment due Monday, Oct. 12th Make your check payable to Christ Community Church and leave in Donna Buchta s church mailbox or mail to her at 6890 Oakview Lane N., Maple Grove If you d like to attend; but, can t make the registration deadline, or have other questions, contact ndbuchta@gmail.com or call: Moravian Retreats August Plus 50 Retreat at Mt. Morris. This year s theme is Be a Blessing Everyday. Registration begins at 4 pm on Thursday followed by dinner and will end with brunch on Sunday. There will be lots of singing, group reflection, enjoying each other and God s creation, and eating. Registration materials are available in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact Myrna via at mpeil3590@charter.net or phone September Western District Women s Retreat at Mt. Morris. Bishop Kay Ward will be leading us as we explore The Bestowing of Blessings. In addition to a great program there will also be plenty of time for fellowship, sharing, laughter, creativity, and delicious meals. There will also be an optional time to join together with western region Moravian women to connect, elect officers, and vision for the future. Registration materials are available in the church office. The retreat is being hosted by the Lake Mills Moravian Women. If you have questions, please contact Nan Nelson via at Nancy.Nelson10@gmail.com or by phone at or Cindy Fahney via at clfahney@yahoo.com or by phone Western District Camps Camps: (Camps are at Mt. Morris, WI) Ba6 August Grades 3-6 4M August Grades 1-2 Plus 50 August Adults over age 50 For more information and to register, go online at 6

7 Anniversaries Perfume Sensitivity We are kindly asking everyone to please abstain from wearing cologne, perfume, or strongly scented lotion when at CCC. There are members who are allergic or sensitive to them. Thank you! Insurance Opportunity The Widows Society The Moravian Widows Society of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has been in successful operation since The purpose of the Society, as its name implies, is to provide aid for the widows on a membership basis of a single payment of $100 up to age 50 and $5 additional for each year through age 60. Any man under the age of 61, in good health, who is a member in good standing of a Moravian Church or whose wife is a member in good standing of a Moravian Church is eligible for membership in the society. The member himself never receives benefit from his membership either directly or indirectly and all payments for membership form a perpetual capital or investment fund, the interest from which is divided between the widows of the members on a share and share alike basis. The dividends, which are paid semi-annually in March and September of each year, have always been liberal in proportion to the nominal cost of membership. This is a small investment that will assure your widow a lifetime benefit. For more information, please contact the church office or visit to download the application. August 3 August 6 August 8 August 12 Birthdays August 6 Andy Johnson August 9 Sonja Ellingson August 11 Ted Lande August 13 Brad Carlson August 13 Casey Langseth August 14 Amara McVay (Jarvis) August 15 Bernie Asher August 15 Alan Cragpe August 17 Winnie Omberg (5) August 22 James Keegan August 24 Susan Lande August 28 John Olson August 30 Valerie Caple Prayer Opportunities While we at CCC 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 and Jon Dart Army Paul & Jenn Straumann Ted & Susan Lande Nick & Casey Langseth Paul & Jenny Moran Navy Sons of Linda Vetter s Cousins 7

8 Camp Mindyy

9 Quick Reference Volunteers August 2 Holy Communion August 9 August 16 Moravian Lovefeast August 23 James Keegan Guest Speaker August 30 Camp Sunday AUGUST 2015 Welcome & Announcements/ Offering Prayer: Pastor Jenny M. Pat J. Pastor Jenny M. Janet O. Pastor Jenny M. PowerPoint: Paul S. Jim H. Norm B. Pat J. Karen O. Scriptures: Bruce K. Paul S. Greg J. Janet B. Bruce K. Ushers/Greeters (2): John O. & Kay G. O Rourkes Beumers Ellingsons Jones Nursery: Langseths Ombergs Barb K. Barb K. Langseths Children s Chat: Pastor Jenny M. Jenn S. Pastor Jenny M. Karene H. Pastor Jenny M. Snak & Yak Host: Barb K. Kris K. Lovefeast Treats: Barb K. Kris K. Lovefeast Prayers Of The Church: Communion Pastor Jenny M. Pastor Jenny M. Karen O. Pastor Jenny M. Praise Singers: No Singers Kristi B. & Terre S. No Singers No Singers Treasurer s Report July 2015 Worship Attendance Date Kids Staff Adults Total 5-Jul Jul Jul Jul June 2015 Designated Funds Occasion/Cause Total District Loan Principal Reduction $ KidPack $ Total: $ E-Giving: If you would like to sign up for e-giving (have your tithe/donation go directly from your bank account to the church s account on a weekly, bimonthly, or monthly basis) please see Janet Ohrt for a form. Treasurer's Report - General Fund/Operating Account Month Beg. Bal. Receipts Disbursements Balance Apr. $ (1,282.14) $ 10, $ 10, $ (1,104.17) May $ (1,104.17) $ 10, $ 11, $ (2,227.19) June $ (2,227.19) $ 16, $ 13, $ YTD $ 4, $ 67, $ 70, $ June 2015 Operating Accounts Date Weekly Receipts 1-Jun-15 $ 1, Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $ 6, Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $ 1, Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $ 1, Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $ Jun-15 $

10 From the Provincial Ecumenical Officer July August 2015 Ecumenical has for most of us referred to relations with other people who name Jesus as Lord other Protestants, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, Eastern Orthodox, and persons of older groups, especially in the Middle East, that fit none of these categories. But in recent years much of the interest and energy among church leaders has shifted from ecumenical relations to interfaith relations (which some call ecumenical). There are several reasons for this: (1) the presence of persons of other faith traditions among us, although Christians still far outnumber persons of other faiths in the United States and Canada, and although new immigrants are primarily Christians; (2) uncertainty among many Christians as to whether, or how, God wants us to invite persons of other faiths to become Christians (hinted at in the prayers of the Litany, Moravian Book of Worship, p. 7); (3) the belief of most Christians that, whoever our neighbors are, Jesus calls us not only to get along with them, but to love them. One place Christians face this today is in relations with Muslims. Some Christians (and some who are not Christians) frame many tensions in today s world as Christianity vs. Islam. We see, read about, and mourn over the violence of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Politicians and academics debate whether the Islamic State is really Islamic. This is all the greater reason to seek positive relations with Muslims. Some of us have ancestors whose first language was German, persons who a century ago in the United States during World War I, when the United States was at war with Germany sometimes faced the same sort of animosity that many Muslims in the United States feel today. While some Christians seem almost to seek or highlight conflict between Christians and Muslims, let us as Moravians and as Christians be people of peace in relation to the Muslims in our communities. If we wish to invite Muslims to Jesus, let us start by learning something about Islam and its beliefs, including beliefs about Jesus. Whether or not we wish to invite them to Jesus, let us learn about Islam, what we have in common with Muslims, and how we can work together to better the world in which God has set us. Many of our communities have programs in place to help us do this. Lord Jesus, through whom we know God as our Creator and our Friend, guide us in our relations with those of the Muslim faith. May their tradition of prayer remind us to bathe our days in prayer. May we share with them how you have shaped us. Together may we love and serve the One whose face you have shown us. Amen. Hermann Weinlick Ecumenical Officer Moravian Church, Northern Province Congregational Watchword 2015 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! ~Revelation 5:12 10

11 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 Prayer Day for World Peace and Nuclear Disarmament 9:30 am: Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 am: Snak & Yak 10:30 am: Kids Summer Party! 9 9:30 am: Worship Service 10:30 am: Snak & Yak 10:30 am: Simpson Sandwiches 16 Moravian Lovefeast 9:30 am: Worship Service 10:30 am: Snak & Yak 23 9:30 am: Worship Service with Guest Speaker 10:30 am: Snak & Yak 30 Camp Sunday Prayer Day for Public Education 9:30 am: Worship Service 10:30 am: Snak & Yak Pastor Jenny on vacation Navas Driving 12 Navas Driving 19 Navas Driving 6 Navas Driving 6:00 pm: Trustees Mtg. 7:00 pm: Joint Board Meeting 8:00 pm: Elders Meeting 13 August Thirteenth Festival Navas Driving 20 Navas Driving Pastor Jenny on vacation Aug. 17 Aug Navas Driving 27 Navas Driving 7 Office Closed 14 Office Closed 21 Office Closed 28 Office Closed 5:00 pm: Rosca/ Hawks Rehearsal 1 8 8:00 am: Men s Breakfast Pastor Jenny in North Carolina Aug. 13-Aug :00 pm: Rosca/ Hawks Wedding at CCC 11

12 TO CONTACT THE PASTOR: Reverend Jennifer Moran th Avenue Maple Grove, MN (763) Office: Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday Thursday Closed Fridays CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: Dianne Omoth CHURCH TREASURER: Bruce Kalland CHURCH MUSICIAN: Sara Milberg TO CONTACT AN ELDER: Casey Langseth (2016) (612) Paul Straumann (2016) (763) Norm Buchta (2017) (763) Corinne Omberg (2017) (763) TO CONTACT A TRUSTEE: Dale Beumer (2016) (612) djbeumer01@hotmail.com Gene Heupel (2017) (763) gheupel@comcast.net Noel Johnson (2018) (952) ndj122377@comcast.net Christ s Community Moravian Church rd Avenue North Maple Grove, Minnesota