The Monthly Newsletter of Faith Lutheran Church

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~Deuteronomy 11:18-19 The one who is righteous will live by faith. ~Romans 1:17 2017 marks the 500 th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.

on top of each other, would be as tall as some two-story houses!

1 Lent/Easter 2017 The Monthly Newsletter of Faith Lutheran Church P.O. Box Second Avenue North Isanti, MN Phone: (763) Preschool: (763) Have no fear, little flock, for it is your Father s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. If you would like to receive our newsletter by , please contact Erin at office@faithlutheranisanti.com From Our Pastor Keep the words of the Lord in your heart teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. ~Deuteronomy 11:18-19 The one who is righteous will live by faith. ~Romans 1: marks the 500 th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Most of us know the story of Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517, but Luther s life is a much bigger story to tell, and his writings, if stacked on top of each other, would be as tall as some two-story houses! But Luther considered his Small Catechism, a pamphlet he wrote to help parents instruct their children in the faith, to be his most important work. Think about that: When the end of his life came, and he assessed the many things he d done and said among them, helping to reshape European power structures, sparking a reformation that forever changed the church, and cheating death a few times he believed the most significant thing he d accomplished was giving moms and dads what they needed to pass the faith on to their sons and daughters. We will be spending our Wednesday evenings during Lent in that big story of Martin Luther. And in the spirit of Luther s own assessment of his life, these midweek s will be designed to help tots and grayheads, parents and children, learn together. Our s will include short skits, coloring sheets, a graphic novel, songs for all ages, and simple liturgy and prayers. Services will start at 6:30 p.m. each week. See next page for Lenten themes! The Season of Lent at Faith March 1: Ash Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. March 5, 12, 26, April 2: Classes following 9:30 a.m. worship s for youth 5th grade and older who have not received. No class March 19. March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5: Family-Friendly Services of Word and Prayer, 6:30 p.m. See next page for schedule and themes! March 19: Dr. Joshua Miller, adjunct religion professor at Augsburg, will lead a forum after the worship on Martin Luther s Reformation as we look forward to the 500th anniversary. April 9: Palm Sunday with, 9:30 a.m. April 13: Maundy Thursday at 6:30 p.m. April 14: Good Friday at St. Andrew Lutheran at 7:00 p.m. There will be a joint choir watch for information. April 16: Easter Sunday! Sunrise Service at 6:15 a.m. Regular Service at 9:30 a.m.

2 **Property Committee needs people willing to help with periodic building and grounds projects!** Sunday School Teachers to teach classes every Sunday after worship s Kingdom Kids Club and Confirmation Helpers on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Newsletter Production folding, sealing, and labeling monthly newsletters for mailing Community Dinner - every third Thursday, to help prepare and serve the meal, and clean up Coffee Hour - bringing/serving refreshments after s Note: We have a standing order for cookies from Herman s Bakery delivered to Riverside Market on Saturdays. Nursery Room - during Sunday s Readers - to read scripture lessons during s Bulletin Boards - The bulletin boards in the upstairs hallway could use a makeover. Assistance welcome! Contact the church office regarding these opportunities! Baptized in the Faith February 5: Owen Thaddeus Giddings March 5: Sydnee Elizabeth Snippen It s In Our Faith Library Check It Out! Submitted by Mary Lou Yerigan Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer The back of this books says, If you re one of millions who suffer from worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger, or condemnation, you are experiencing an attack in your mind. Did you ever think of your mind as a battlefield? Joyce Meyer talks about challenges with being judgmental, selfish, envious, impatient, critical, selfcentered, and complaining. She says, I wasted so many years of my life feeling sorry for myself. My automatic response to any kind of disappointment was self-pity. Joyce ultimately realized that Satan was battling for her mind. Among various Bible passages, she emphasizes Philippians 2:4, Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Every time we feel sorry for ourselves or do things out of disappointment or anger, we can negatively affect the people around us. Instead, we can Let Go and Let God direct our thoughts. As Joyce shares the obstacles she has overcome to become the person she is today, You ll gain insight into how Joyce won the battle in her own mind and how you can as well. In Memoriam Ronald Rensfeldt Ruth Hanson From Our Pastor continued... Our Wednesday lessons will be as follows: March 8: I ll become a monk! & The Tower Experience March 15: Coins in the Coffer & The Wittenberg Door March 22: The Diet of Worms: HERE I STAND! March 29: Nuns Escape & Wedding Bells April 5: The Augsburg Confession & The Reformation Spreads Kingdom Kids and Confirmation Students are encouraged to bring their parents, grandmas and grandpas are invited to bring the grandkids (and their grandkids parents), and everyone is invited to bring a friend or neighbor. The Bible teaches that the gospel always makes us new, each time we hear it. Come and see Luther discover the freedom of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and experience it for yourself anew this Lenten season. Pastor Clifton Hanson Our church is having a Book Fair! Looking for that perfect Easter gift for your kids or grandkids? Stop by our Book Fair and shop award-winning Bibles, books, and videos for kids. Save up to 50% PLUS free shipping on all titles. Stop by the Fellowship Hall March 19 through April 2 during normal business hours to shop! Our church will earn 20% of the proceeds to go towards curriculum or other resources! Our Book Fair, sponsored by Sparkhouse Family, is designed to help parents instill an open-hearted, transformational, lifelong Christian faith in their kids at every age and stage.

3 Thank you to all who participated in the Annual Meeting on January 29! Special thanks to all who submitted committee reports, to Ann Krueger and Linnea Derby for completing the audit, to Cindy Weiss and finance committee for preparing the 2017 budget, and to Ron Schleif for working on nominations. Here is your 2017 FLC Council: President: Sue Larson Vice President: Ron Schleif Secretary: Kathy Smith Joel Bazey Muriel Hain Dan Johnson Carol Kruse Jennifer Milz Harold Pedersen Denise Roetzer Cindy Weiss *Three youth advisors were also named, and they will be encouraged to attend meetings and offer insight: Kaycee Lenox, Keagann Olson, Isabella Richardson January Financials Total Income 10, Total Expenses. 12, Net Income -1, Donations of time and talent are also greatly appreciated and can help financially! Sunday Morning Volunteers If you would like to be added to either of these rotating schedules, contact the office! Readers: March 5: Rick Bridston March 12: Jackie Shaefer March 19: Joyce Johnson March 26: Kathy Smith April 2: Lynette Guderian April 9: Dawn Holmquist April 16: RaeAnn Mosiman April 23: Diane Christensen April 30: Ivan Russell Nursery: March 5: Cat Bridston March 12: Alison Almos March 19: Marcia Bridston March 26: Jenny Reinhard April 2: Lynne Howe April 9: Ann Krueger April 16: Joyce Johnson April 23: Shirley Lohse April 30: Kathy Johnson January Council Meeting Highlights Members Present: Pastor Cliff, Ron Schleif, Carol Kruse, Jennifer Milz, Denise Roetzer, Sue Larson, Cindy Weiss, Kathy Smith Staff Members Present: Erika Zdon, Erin Olson Guests: Pastor Micah and two congregation members from St. Andrew Lutheran came to thank Faith Lutheran for the gif t of the grand piano to their congregation. Secretary s Report: December council minutes and requests from two groups to have events at FLC Pregnancy Resource Center training January 19 and MN Council on Aging wellness fair April 4. Discussion about building use policies and fees. Finance: Net income in December +$413. Sue Larson mentioned that Laverne Peter has offered to come and talk about family budgeting, leading into how to plan for giving to the church. Pastor s Report: Attended preaching retreat with 5 other local pastors, sponsored by the Synod. Youth planning committee started meeting January 7 and will meet every first Tuesday. Based on discussion in December, three main areas of focus are: Sunday morning preparation, youth, and elder care. Heavenly Sunshine Preschool: Silent auction January 29. Large motor play area, van insurance and maintenance are possible uses of proceeds. Two of the bathroom stools are not functioning correctly. Discussed possibility of replacing all bathroom stools and urinals, using funds from $15,000 anonymous donation for church upkeep. HSP registration begins in March. Property: Will check into upgrade of bathroom facilities. New handicap parking signs will be installed. The threshold of the east sanctuary door will be sealed until it is warmer, then repaired. Property committee will replace batteries in detectors and alarms. May look into replacing light bulbs with LEDs. Worship & Music: Discussion of requests for communion at the rail and encouraging more reverence prior to worship s perhaps encourage visiting in the narthex, etc. Youth/CE: Looking toward summer trip to BWCA (grades 7-12). May have interest in a youth group for 8th grade & older. Thia Kampa will be assisting with confirmation. Luther Point retreat will be extended to include additional youth and confirmation kids. Personnel: Discussion of pastor s salary based on current recommended rates for NE & Minneapolis synods. Pastor has requested no raise for Recommended $0.50/hour raise for custodian and $10/ raise for accompanists. Approved Budget: Proposed that 1/3 of silent auction proceeds go to FCF (instead of 75%) and 2/3 to general fund. Kathy S. will bring suggestion to social ministry. Pastor Cliff raised some discussion about modeling giving. CE budget will be increased, but CE programs may make changes to allow for reduced costs. Motion made to accept 2017 budget, seconded, passed. FLC Council meets every 3rd Tuesday at 7 pm in the library.

Children & Youth Lent: It s Not the Stuff in Your Dryer Youth Ministry Team Meeting on March 7 at 6:15 pm. All are welcome to attend! Topics will include curriculum, end-of-year picnic, VBS, and more.

at FLC! Lenten Services of Word and Prayer for All Children of God Join us every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

All Wednesday evening classes (KKC and Confirmation) will participate in these worship s, and families are encouraged to attend together as we explore how to live, pray, and believe as Christians in

Classes will be about an hour, following the 9:30 worship s on Sundays, March 5, 12, 26, and April 2. Students will bake bread together on Saturday, April 8, and will receive on Palm Sunday, April 9.

4 Children & Youth Lent: It s Not the Stuff in Your Dryer Youth Ministry Team Meeting on March 7 at 6:15 pm. All are welcome to attend! Topics will include curriculum, end-of-year picnic, VBS, and more. Help shape the youth programs at FLC! Lenten Services of Word and Prayer for All Children of God Join us every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. from March 8-April 5 for worship that engages kids and adults in simple songs, hands-on lessons following the story of Martin Luther s life, interactive prayers, and chances to move around. All Wednesday evening classes (KKC and Confirmation) will participate in these worship s, and families are encouraged to attend together as we explore how to live, pray, and believe as Christians in this world. Come join the fun! Classes Youth 5th grade and older who have not received first communion are invited to participate! Classes will be about an hour, following the 9:30 worship s on Sundays, March 5, 12, 26, and April 2. Students will bake bread together on Saturday, April 8, and will receive on Palm Sunday, April 9. Parents, please attend on March 5 for full details. Secretary s Scribblings My parents named me Erin Kathleen partly because of a great-grandfather who came from Ireland. I have always celebrated St. Patrick s Day in some way, feeling some kinship with the country for which I was named. (Erin is the English version of the Irish word for Ireland.) I hope to visit someday! In college, I started watching VeggieTales, because at the time it was a new thing, and my friends and I enjoyed its particular brand of off-the-wall humor. Of course, I have made sure that my kids appreciate VeggieTales as well. A while ago, while watching the introduction to The Sumo of the Opera, we heard the story of St. Patrick as told by Lutfi the sock puppet with his Fanciful Flannelgraph. (I highly recommend it if you ever get bored and want to look it up on YouTube ) We learned some interesting things about St. Patrick. Here are some fun facts: He was born in 387 A.D. to parents who were Roman Citizens living in what is now England. His given name was Maewyn Succat. He was captured at age 16 by Irish pirates and enslaved by the Druid people living in Ireland. He escaped at 22 and returned to England, where he lived in a monastery for 12 years and became a priest. He felt called to return to Ireland and teach the people about God. He used the shamrock to illustrate mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Druids, who worshipped things in nature, must have found him convincing because many converted to Christianity. St. Patrick died in Ireland on March 17, 461 A.D. He is patron saint of Ireland, and we celebrate his feast day as St. Patrick s Day. Happy St. Patrick s Day! 1st & 2nd Year Confirmation will meet with Pastor Cliff at Rendezvous Coffee at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, March 12 & 26. Mille Grazie! Thank you to everyone who helped with the Youth Spaghetti Dinner, and to all who gave freewill offerings and enjoyed eating it! Offerings collected=$ (Photos submitted by Rhonda Brown.)

Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The effort was so successful, and the need was so evident, that it became a statewide program just one year later.

5 March Mission of the Month Minnesota FoodShare Did You Know? Minnesota FoodShare, a major program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC), began its work in 1982, with a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The effort was so successful, and the need was so evident, that it became a statewide program just one year later. Today, the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign brings together various Minnesota organizations, businesses, and places of worship to help keep 300 food shelves statewide stocked throughout the year. The March Campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state, having raised $8.2 million dollars and 5.2 million pounds of food in 2016, the most successful campaign in its 34-year history. The Vision: A Minnesota where all residents have access to healthy food and no one suffers from hunger. The March Campaign addresses those issues directly, and we d love to have you join the fight against hunger. By increasing awareness and advocating for long-term solutions to hunger in our communities, together we can meet the needs of those who need it most. Here at Faith Lutheran, we will be collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations during the month of March for our local food shelf. Please join in the effort! Opportunities for Fellowship : every Wednesday at Men s Breakfast: second Saturday at 8 am Knit and Crochet at Embroidery & Ink: second Saturday at 9:30 am Quilting also a possibility. Community Dinner: third Thursday at 5:30 pm Friday Fun at the Creamery: third Friday at 9 am Martha Circle: Evening Bible/book study fellowship at Rendezvous Coffee (Date to be determined watch for it in the bulletin!) Let s get together! If you know of other opportunities not listed above, please contact the office! Study Enjoy fellowship with members from Salem, Siloa, Long Lake, and St. Andrew as we read and discuss Signs of Belonging: Luther s Marks of the Church and the Christian Life. We will meet at noon on Tuesdays, March 7-April 4, at the Creamery Café in Isanti. If you would like a copy of the book, you can contact Pastor Cliff, or you can order your own on amazon.com or fortresspress.com. Kindle edition is also available!

6 March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 No Bible Study Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 pm 2 Worship & Music 7 pm Service/ Communion/ Baptism 9:30 am Class 10:30 am with parents Sunday School 10:30 am 6 7 Youth Planning Meeting 6:15 pm Property, Social & Stewardship 7 pm 8 Lenten Service 6:30 pm Finance 6:30 pm 9 Praise Band 7 pm Men s Breakfast 8 am Knit & Crochet at Embroidery & Ink 9:30 am 12 Service 9:30 am Coffee Hour 10:30 a.m. Class 10:30 am No Sunday School 1st/2nd year Confirmation at Rendezvous Coffee 2 p.m Lenten Service 6:30 pm 16 Pregnancy Resource Center Training in FLC Library 9 am Community Dinner 5:30 pm Praise Band 7 pm 17 Friday Fun at the Creamery 9 am Service/ Communion 9:30 am No First Communion Sunday School/ Forum with Dr. Joshua Miller 10:30 a.m Council Meeting 7 pm 22 Service of Word & Prayer 6:30 pm 23 Praise Band 7 pm 24 Prep for mailing March Faith News Service 9:30 am Class 10:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am 1st/2nd year Confirmation at Rendezvous Coffee 2 p.m Service of Word & Prayer 6:30 pm (April) Acolytes: Micheal Noonan & Braden Kohn Communion Assistant: Carol Kruse

April 2017 Sun Mon 2 Service/ Communion 9:30 am Class 10:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am 3 9 10 Palm Sunday with First Communion 9:30 am Tue Wed 4 Youth Ministry Meeting 6:15 pm Property, Social &

Crochet at Embroidery & Ink 9:30 am 13 Maundy Thursday 6:30 pm 14 Good Friday at St. Andrew Lutheran 7 pm 15 16 Easter Sunday! Sunrise Service 6:15 a.m. Service 9:30 a.m. Heavenly Sunshine Preschool 763-444-7527 Thank you to everyone who participated in our silent auction!

We are collecting Labels for Learning points for our youth programs. All ready for Elephant Toothpaste science experiment! Minnow, minnow, who s got the minnow? Ms. Karla, that s who!

7 April 2017 Sun Mon 2 Service/ Communion 9:30 am Class 10:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Palm Sunday with First Communion 9:30 am Tue Wed 4 Youth Ministry Meeting 6:15 pm Property, Social & Stewardship 7 pm 5 Lenten Service 6:30 pm Choir 6:30 pm No KKC or Confirmation Finance 6:30 pm Sunday School 10:30 am Thu 6 Fri 7 Sat 8 Class bread baking Time TBD Men s Breakfast 8 am Knit & Crochet at Embroidery & Ink 9:30 am 13 Maundy Thursday 6:30 pm 14 Good Friday at St. Andrew Lutheran 7 pm Easter Sunday! Sunrise Service 6:15 a.m. Service 9:30 a.m. Heavenly Sunshine Preschool Thank you to everyone who participated in our silent auction! It was a giant success and we raised over $1500 to begin construction of our large motor play area. Registration for is open! Spread the word! Save Coborn s receipts! We are collecting Labels for Learning points for our youth programs. All ready for Elephant Toothpaste science experiment! Minnow, minnow, who s got the minnow? Ms. Karla, that s who! If you would like to provide an Easter Lily for the sanctuary, please contact the office! Where is the Little Lady Who Sits in the Front Row? As many of you have heard, my mother, Lorraine Fischer, suffered from a stroke January 30. Mom is now a resident of GracePointe Crossing West in Cambridge. Unfortunately, a flu quarantine started the day after she moved there, and she has not been able to have visitors except for family. As I write this (February 20), it is hoped the quarantine will be lifted this week. She would love to have visitors, but I would recommend calling GracePointe at before you stop by, to make sure there is no quarantine. The best time to visit her is late afternoon or early evening. We both miss everyone at Faith. For now, I will be attending Sunday morning chapel worship with Mom at GracePointe. Once her mobility improves through physical therapy so I can safely transport her, I will bring her back to worship at Faith. I am hoping this can happen by Easter. My family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and encouragement. I will never forget the audible "gasp" at worship when Pastor Cliff announced her stroke. She is truly loved and treasured by the members of Faith. Lynette Guderian

Faith Lutheran Church 109 Second Avenue P.O. Box 87 Isanti, MN 55040 (763) 444-9201 www.

8 Faith Lutheran Church 109 Second Avenue P.O. Box 87 Isanti, MN (763) Christ is Lord. Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 3 ISANTI, MINN Current Resident Sunday Services 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Wednesday Lenten Services 6:30 pm Book Fair March 19-April 2! Support FLC and find great gifts for Easter! May God Smile on YOU today!!

If you would like to receive our newsletter by , please contact Erin at

If you would like to receive our newsletter by , please contact Erin at June 2017 From Our Pastor The Monthly Newsletter of Faith Lutheran Church P.O. Box 87 109 Second Avenue North Isanti, MN 55040 Phone: (763) 444-9201 Heavenly Sunshine Preschool: (763) 444-7527 www.faithlutheranisanti.com