Newsletter — May 24, 2022

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Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship. masks optional for all activities in the church building, including worship! All are welcome!

You may also join us online:

Find worship live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/spiritoflifeav
Join us live on Zoom by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83600960782
You can stream the service later either on Facebook or on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC-G31isag0NKhIT0cat91qA

Book Study: As Pastor Rob is starting his Sabbatical, he has challenged us as a congregation to work through the same book he will be using over the summer: “Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives”, by Wayne Muller. There is an opportunity for you to join in with a group study of this book, if you are interested. Denise Lewis will lead it and will be hybrid so our online congregants can join in; if you would like to sign up, and/or have her order a book for you, please email ASAP. She will place the book order on Wednesday evening, so that the books will be available for distribution to you on Sunday, May 29. They are $10 each. You can also order your own book, but please let her know if you plan to join the study.

Here is the proposed schedule for study (tentatively planned for following worship, with the adult Sunday School zoom link):

June 12: Section 1, REST
June 26: Section 2, RHYTHM
July 10: Section 3, TIME
July 24: Section 4, HAPPINESS
August 7: Section 5, WISDOM
August 21: Section 6, CONSECRATION (Pastor Rob’s first Sunday back)

The sections are short and include exercises to help us practice Sabbath. Journal, or take note of, any topics of interest to you, any exercises you particularly liked (or didn’t like), or bring a Bible verse you would like to share that reflects the topics in the section. You are welcome to attend all sessions, or only some of them. If you have any questions, contact Denise [email protected]

Emergency Pastoral Care Coverage while Pastor Rob is on sabbatical:

May 27-June 8: Rev. Kate Payton
June 9-11: Loretta Hunt
June 12-19: Rev. Kate Payton
June 20-July 17: Marge Braden
July 18-Aug 19: Loretta Hunt

Coffee and Conversation Mondays, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.
During Pastor Rob’s sabbatical this summer, Bob Shepard will be leading the weekly coffee and conversation time with the above hours and using the same zoom link below. (NOTE: C & C not meet Memorial day.) Come as you are. This is a gathering online and in person. It is open for you to pop in and out any time so feel free to drop in and say hello.*Note, same login, recurring meeting each week. Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/286584190
One tap mobile +13126266799,,286584190# +19292056099,,286584190#

The session of elders of Spirit of Life is hosting our regular community PICNICS this year while Rob has sabbatical. We ask those able to bring a side or dessert to share and the session will provide a main course. Dates will be June 26th, July 31st, and August 28th and the time will be approximately 11:15am (immediately after worship) with games in the backyard for kids and food and fellowship for all.

From Community Service: Spring has sprung! The Community Service team is looking for help in weeding our many flower gardens. If you would like to spend some quiet time outside, please contact Chris Sachs or sign up on the clipboard in the back of the church. We will establish a schedule with volunteers signing up for a week when they can do it at their convenience. Thanks!

Hi everyone! The Outreach team is looking for assistance with updating our website content. If you’d be willing to take photos, write website content, or even suggest ideas for how to make our website better, please contact Mary Brause.

From Community Service: The Community Service committee has planted the donation vegetable garden. This garden is a ministry of the Community Service committee, and all produce from the garden is delivered to the Rosemount Family Resource Center food shelf. We’ve already made our first delivery of 7 pounds (asparagus, rhubarb, and chives)! Our deliveries will continue to be weekly, and up to twice weekly as the garden starts to really produce later in the summer. So, helpers for maintaining and harvesting the garden are needed all summer long. If you are interested in joining us, either this coming weekend or later in the summer, please contact Denise Lewis, [email protected] to get on the email list for updates.

At the session meeting on 5-9-2022 we approved a change to future name tags and by opt-in/voluntary for existing tags the change being to add pronouns to name tags.
For design, basically like we already have with something like:
Ryan Currens
My pronouns are: He/Him/His

If you are looking for ways to help the people of Ukraine, here are a couple of effective organizations that are working to bring relief:
– Church World Service, which sponsors CROP Walks, also works in the areas of disaster relief and refugee resettlement and is actively responding in the Ukraine crisis. You can read about their efforts and donate here https://cwsglobal.org/appeals/ukraine-crisis-response-fund/
– Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is also actively involved, and you can read about their response here https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/

From Community Service: Our LITTLE FREE PANTRY has been of great use to our neighbors and is in need of frequent replenishment! We can now resume contributing canned items as well as other non perishables. Donations may be left in the little pantry or in the cabinet inside the church entry. Many thanks for your wonderful support of our pantry and neighbors!

If you have a prayer request you wish to share with our Spirit Care Prayer Team, please email the office at [email protected] Word it as you wish it to be submitted, and we will post it for our prayer team.

2022 Per Capita is $36.50

Newsletter — May 17, 2022

/in , /by

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship. masks optional for all activities in the church building, including worship! All are welcome.

You may also join us online:

Find worship live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/spiritoflifeav
Join us live on Zoom by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83600960782
You can stream the service later either on Facebook or on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC-G31isag0NKhIT0cat91qA

News from Christian Education Committee:
Children’s Sunday School classes meet 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. There will be a PreK – 2nd grade class and a 3rd-5th grade class. We will bring the children back to the sanctuary for the Children’s sermon at 10:15 and then the children can sit with their parents during the rest of the service.

Hi everyone! The Outreach team is looking for assistance with updating our website content. If you’d be willing to take photos, write website content, or even suggest ideas for how to make our website better, please contact Mary Brause.

From Community Service: Spring has sprung! The Community Service team is looking for help in weeding our many flower gardens. If you would like to spend some quiet time outside, please contact Chris Sachs or sign up on the clipboard in the back of the church. We will establish a schedule with volunteers signing up for a week when they can do it at their convenience. Thanks!

From Community Service: The Community Service committee will be gathering to plant the donation vegetable garden on Saturday, May 21, at 10:00 am, and likely on Sunday, May 22, following worship. Anyone who has an interest in vegetable gardening is welcome to join us; just bring your own work gloves, gardening tools, and kneeling pad or short stool. All seeds and plants are provided. This garden is a ministry of the Community Service committee, and all produce from the garden is delivered to the Rosemount Family Resource Center food shelf. We’ve already made our first delivery of 7 pounds (asparagus, rhubarb, and chives)! Our deliveries will continue to be weekly, and up to twice weekly as the garden starts to really produce later in the summer. So, helpers for maintaining and harvesting the garden are needed all summer long. If you are interested in joining us, either this coming weekend or later in the summer, please contact Denise Lewis.

At the session meeting on 5-9-2022 we approved a change to future name tags and by opt-in/voluntary for existing tags the change being to add pronouns to name tags.
For design, basically like we already have with something like:
Ryan Currens
My pronouns are: He/Him/His

The session of elders of Spirit of Life is hosting our regular community picnics this summer while Rob has sabbatical. We ask those able to bring a side or dessert to share and the session will provide a main course. Dates will be June 26th, July 31st, and August 28th and the time will be approximately 11:15am (immediately after worship) with games in the backyard for kids and food and fellowship for all.

GriefShare Program meets Thursdays, 6:30 pm at Spirit of Life Church. This program features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up discussions were to them. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Too often people, including Christians, tend to bury their grief instead of allowing it to do the God-given work for which it is intended. Don’t allow fear of what others may think to keep you from what could help you. Confidentiality is very much a part of this program. Please contact Bob Shepard or Jacqui Hicks for more information or to sign up.

If you are looking for ways to help the people of Ukraine, here are a couple of effective organizations that are working to bring relief:
– Church World Service, which sponsors CROP Walks, also works in the areas of disaster relief and refugee resettlement and is actively responding in the Ukraine crisis. You can read about their efforts and donate here https://cwsglobal.org/appeals/ukraine-crisis-response-fund/
– Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is also actively involved, and you can read about their response here https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/

Coffee and Conversation Mondays, from 9:20 am to 11:00 am. Great opportunity to meet with Pastor Rob and others. Come as you are. This is a gathering online and in person. It is open for you to pop in and out any time so feel free to drop in and say hello.*Note, same time and same login, recurring meeting each week. Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/286584190
One tap mobile +13126266799,,286584190# +19292056099,,286584190#

If you have a prayer request you wish to share with our Spirit Care Prayer Team, please email the office at [email protected] AND Pastor Rob at [email protected] Word it as you wish it to be submitted, and we will post it for our prayer team.

From Community Service: Our LITTLE FREE PANTRY has been of great use to our neighbors and is in need of frequent replenishment! We can now resume contributing canned items as well as other non perishables. Donations may be left in the little pantry or in the cabinet inside the church entry. Many thanks for your wonderful support of our pantry and neighbors!

2022 Per Capita is $36.50

Newsletter — May 10, 2022

/in , /by

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship. masks optional for all activities in the church building, including worship! All are welcome.

You may also join us online:

Find worship live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/spiritoflifeav
Join us live on Zoom by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83600960782
You can stream the service later either on Facebook or on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC-G31isag0NKhIT0cat91qA

News from Christian Education Committee:
NOTE: On Sunday, May 15th during the morning worship service we will recognize Sunday School and M&M kids, youth, teachers, and leaders! Please join us in person or online.

Children’s Sunday School classes meet 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. There will be a PreK – 2nd grade class and a 3rd-5th grade class. We will bring the children back to the sanctuary for the Children’s sermon at 10:15 and then the children can sit with their parents during the rest of the service.

Attention Members: We will have an abbreviated Congregational Meeting immediately following worship on Sunday, May 15.

Hi everyone! The Outreach team is looking for assistance with updating our website content. If you’d be willing to take photos, write website content, or even suggest ideas for how to make our website better, please contact Mary Brause.

From Community Service: We had a beautiful day on Saturday for the outdoor clean-up, and also a great turn out of helpers! Many thanks to the crew from Spirit of Life, including Loretta Hunt, Karen and Jerry Johnson, Marge and Steve Braden, Charlie McMurray, Ryan Currens, with Charlie, Johnny, and Jimmy, Rory Swenson, and Denise Lewis. The Bradens and Rose McMurray even provided us with some treats! We also had an excellent turn out of Boy Scouts and some of their parents, which allowed us to get even more done than we had planned. Spirits were high, as we joined together in community to do this work on a beautiful spring day. So, again, many, many thanks to all who helped!

GriefShare Program meets Thursdays, 6:30 pm at Spirit of Life Church. This program features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up discussions were to them. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Too often people, including Christians, tend to bury their grief instead of allowing it to do the God-given work for which it is intended. Don’t allow fear of what others may think to keep you from what could help you. Confidentiality is very much a part of this program. Please contact Bob Shepard or Jacqui Hicks for more information or to sign up.

If you are looking for ways to help the people of Ukraine, here are a couple of effective organizations that are working to bring relief:
– Church World Service, which sponsors CROP Walks, also works in the areas of disaster relief and refugee resettlement and is actively responding in the Ukraine crisis. You can read about their efforts and donate here https://cwsglobal.org/appeals/ukraine-crisis-response-fund/
– Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is also actively involved, and you can read about their response here https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/

NOTE: Updated hours (based on Pastor Rob offering in-person option). Meet with Pastor Rob for Coffee and Conversation Mondays, from 9:20 am to 11:00 am. Come as you are. This is a gathering online and in person. It is open for you to pop in and out any time so feel free to drop in and say hello. *Note, same time and same login, recurring meeting each week. Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/286584190
One tap mobile +13126266799,,286584190# +19292056099,,286584190#

If you have a prayer request you wish to share with our Spirit Care Prayer Team, please email the office at [email protected] AND Pastor Rob at [email protected] Word it as you wish it to be submitted, and we will post it for our prayer team.

From Community Service: Our LITTLE FREE PANTRY has been of great use to our neighbors and is in need of frequent replenishment! We can now resume contributing canned items as well as other non perishables. Donations may be left in the little pantry or in the cabinet inside the church entry. Many thanks for your wonderful support of our pantry and neighbors!

2022 Per Capita is $36.50

Newsletter — May 3, 2022

/in , /by

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship. masks optional for all activities in the church building, including worship! All are welcome.

You may also join us online:

Find worship live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/spiritoflifeav
Join us live on Zoom by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83600960782
You can stream the service later either on Facebook or on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC-G31isag0NKhIT0cat91qA

We will be having a youth group fundraising Cabaret this Saturday, May 7. See a youth group member for tickets!

Are you able to donate a gift certificate, a creative idea such as pie-of-the month, or a gift basket? We need all items by end of day Wednesday at church, or an email with specifics to Becky Brandt. We need everything early because with multiple seatings for the Cabaret this year, we are fully doing this as a week-long online auction beginning this coming Monday.

Auction will run online only 4/30/22 at 12pm thru 5/7/22 at 6pm
Contact Becky Brandt with donation offers or questions.

Cabaret Auction site is now live!! Auction will run online only 4/30/22 at 12pm thru 5/7/22 at 6pm. See instructions for online auction at http://file:///C:/Users/Office/OneDrive%20-%20Spirit%20of%20Life%20Presbyterian%20Church/Documents/Documents/MINISTRY%20TEAMS/Valentine%20er%20Mothers%20day%20Cabaret%202022/browser-how-to-solcabaret%20(1).pdf
Contact Becky Brandt with questions.

News from Christian Education Committee:
– On Sunday, May 8th during the morning worship service, we will honor our Graduates!
– On Sunday, May 15th during the morning worship service we will recognize Sunday School and M&M kids, youth, teachers, and leaders! Please join us in person or online.

Children’s Sunday School classes meet 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. There will be a PreK – 2nd grade class and a 3rd-5th grade class. We will bring the children back to the sanctuary for the Children’s sermon at 10:15 and then the children can sit with their parents during the rest of the service.

Saturday, May 7, is our outdoor clean-up of the church grounds from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Everyone is welcome, and we will have some Boy Scouts helping out, too. Please bring a water bottle, work gloves (extras, if you have them), garden tools — and maybe even some sun screen! We will be cutting back the deadheads in the flower beds, weeding, and gathering up branches, sticks, and garbage. If you have any questions, please contact Denise Lewis at [email protected]

Membership Class: Pastor Rob is leading the New Member class that meets again this coming Sunday, May 8, at 11:15am. NOTE: New Members will meet online briefly with Session Monday evening, May 9th, at 6:30pm. We’ll be receiving the new members in worship on Sunday, May 15.

Attention Members: We will have an abbreviated Congregational Meeting immediately following worship on Sunday, May 15.

Hi everyone! The Outreach team is looking for assistance with updating our website content. If you’d be willing to take photos, write website content, or even suggest ideas for how to make our website better, please contact Mary Brause.

GriefShare Program meets Thursdays, 6:30 pm at Spirit of Life Church. This program features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up discussions were to them. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Too often people, including Christians, tend to bury their grief instead of allowing it to do the God-given work for which it is intended. Don’t allow fear of what others may think to keep you from what could help you. Confidentiality is very much a part of this program. Please contact Bob Shepard or Jacqui Hicks for more information or to sign up.

If you are looking for ways to help the people of Ukraine, here are a couple of effective organizations that are working to bring relief:
– Church World Service, which sponsors CROP Walks, also works in the areas of disaster relief and refugee resettlement and is actively responding in the Ukraine crisis. You can read about their efforts and donate here https://cwsglobal.org/appeals/ukraine-crisis-response-fund/
– Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is also actively involved, and you can read about their response here https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/

NOTE: Updated hours (based on Pastor Rob offering in-person option). Meet with Pastor Rob for Coffee and Conversation Mondays, from 9:20 am to 11:00 am. Come as you are. This is a gathering online and in person. It is open for you to pop in and out any time so feel free to drop in and say hello. *Note, same time and same login, recurring meeting each week. Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/286584190
One tap mobile +13126266799,,286584190# +19292056099,,286584190#

If you have a prayer request you wish to share with our Spirit Care Prayer Team, please email the office at [email protected] AND Pastor Rob at [email protected] Word it as you wish it to be submitted, and we will post it for our prayer team.

From Community Service: Our LITTLE FREE PANTRY has been of great use to our neighbors and is in need of frequent replenishment! We can now resume contributing canned items as well as other non-perishables. Donations may be left in the little pantry or in the cabinet inside the church entry. Many thanks for your wonderful support of our pantry and neighbors!

2022 Per Capita is $36.50

Newsletter – April 26, 2022

/in , /by

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship. Masks optional for all activities in the church building, including worship! All are welcome.

You may also join us online:

Find worship live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/spiritoflifeav
Join us live on Zoom by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83600960782
You can stream the service later either on Facebook or on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC-G31isag0NKhIT0cat91qA

We will be having a youth group fundraising Cabaret on May 7. See a youth group member for tickets! Are you able to donate a gift certificate, a creative idea such as pie-of-the month, or a gift basket? We need all items by end of day Wednesday at church, or an email with specifics to Becky Brandt. We need everything early because with multiple seatings for the Cabaret this year. We are fully doing this as a week online auction beginning this coming Monday.

Auction will run online only 4/30/22 at 12pm thru 5/7/22 at 6pm
Contact Becky Brandt with donation offers or questions.

Are you creative? Enjoy a little competition? Maybe you would enjoy participating in the T shirt design contest for the South of the River CROP Walk. NOTE: This is the last week for participating in the CROP Walk t-shirt design contest. Deadline is May 1st.

News from Christian Education Committee:
NOTE:
On Sunday, May 8th during the morning worship service, we will honor our Graduates!

On Sunday, May 15th during the morning worship service we will recognize Sunday School and M&M kids, youth, teachers, and leaders! Please join us in person or online.

Children’s Sunday School classes meet 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. There will be a PreK – 2nd grade class and a 3rd-5th grade class. We will bring the children back to the sanctuary for the Children’s sermon at 10:15 and then the children can sit with their parents during the rest of the service.

“Embracing Emergence” Adult Class: The Embracing Emergence class will resume on May 1st for two final sessions. The class meets at 11:00 in the conference Room and is available remotely through Zoom. Note: it may be challenging for new people to join the class at this point. For more information, contact Steve Braden.

M&M meets one more Wednesday for this season (April 27th)
•4:30 to 6 pm for K-5th grade
•6:00 to 7:15 pm for 6th through high school
•Meal for all ages at 6 pm
Join us through Zoom at Meet in the Middle Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6124529465

Membership Class: Pastor Rob is leading the New Member class that meets at 11:15am on Sundays, May 1 and 8, here at the church. NOTE: New Members will meet online briefly with Session Monday evening, May 9th, at 6:30pm. We’ll be receiving the new members in worship on Sunday, May 15.

From Community Service: It’s time for an outdoor clean-up — clearing out the flower beds and picking up sticks and branches, so a great family activity! The date is Saturday, May 7, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Please sign up on the sheet in the back of the sanctuary with your name and email or cell phone number, so you can be notified of any change in plans due to weather. It would also be helpful to know how many people to expect, so work projects can be planned accordingly. You can also email Denise Lewis directly, if you want to participate.

Attention Members: We will have an abbreviated Congregational Meeting immediately following worship on Sunday, May 15.

GriefShare Program meets Thursdays, 6:30 pm at Spirit of Life Church. This program features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up discussions were to them. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Too often people, including Christians, tend to bury their grief instead of allowing it to do the God-given work for which it is intended. Don’t allow fear of what others may think to keep you from what could help you. Confidentiality is very much a part of this program. Please contact Bob Shepard or Jacqui Hicks for more information or to sign up.

If you are looking for ways to help the people of Ukraine, here are a couple of effective organizations that are working to bring relief:
– Church World Service, which sponsors CROP Walks, also works in the areas of disaster relief and refugee resettlement and is actively responding in the Ukraine crisis. You can read about their efforts and donate here https://cwsglobal.org/appeals/ukraine-crisis-response-fund/

– Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is also actively involved, and you can read about their response here https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/

NOTE: Updated hours (based on Pastor Rob offering in-person option). Meet with Pastor Rob for Coffee and Conversation Mondays, from 9:20 am to 11:00 am. Come as you are. This is a gathering online and in person. It is open for you to pop in and out any time so feel free to drop in and say hello. *Note, same time and same login, recurring meeting each week. Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/286584190 One tap mobile +13126266799,,286584190# +19292056099,,286584190#

If you have a prayer request you wish to share with our Spirit Care Prayer Team, please email the office at [email protected] AND Pastor Rob at [email protected] Word it as you wish it to be submitted, and we will post it for our prayer team.

From Community Service: Keep in mind the Little Free Food Pantry (located at the entrance of the driveway) Please consider donating: canned, bottled, boxed, or dried foodstuffs, dried beans, rice, oatmeal, cereal, etc. And, remember the motto of the Little Free Food Pantry movement: Take what you need, leave what you can.

2022 Per Capita is $36.50