Newsletter – April 19, 2022

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship. All are welcome! Wearing a mask is optional during worship as well as all other activities in the building.

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

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

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.

“Embracing Emergence” Adult Class: The Embracing Emergence class will resume on April 24 for the three 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 two more Wednesdays for this season (April 20th & 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

PLEASE 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.

We will be having a youth group fundraising Cabaret on May 7. See a youth group member for tickets! Silent auction donations needed include:
– Handmade: craft items, knitting, crocheting, painting, photography, woodworking
– New Items: gift cards, baskets, memorabilia

Deadline for donations is 4/21/22
Auction will run online only 4/30/22 at 12pm thru 5/7/22 at 6pm
Contact Becky Brandt with donation offers or questions.

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 briefly with Session Monday evening, May 9th, approx. 6:30pm. We’ll be receiving the new members in 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.

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.

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

Newsletter — April 12, 2022

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship. All are welcome! Just in … At the April 11, 2022 session meeting, Session made the decision to go masks optional for all activities in the church building, including worship!

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

Worship News:

M&M will join the congregation this week for the 7 pm Maundy Thursday service, April 14th. Join us through Zoom by using the Sunday morning zoom link.

Please also join us for the Good Friday service at 7pm Friday, April 15th by using the Sunday morning Zoom link.

Sunday school is suspended on Easter Sunday for both the children and adults. Our Easter worship service starts at 10 am.

We will be having a youth group fundraising Cabaret on May 7. See a youth group member for tickets! Silent auction donations needed include:
– Handmade: craft items, knitting, crocheting, painting, photography, woodworking
– New Items: gift cards, baskets, memorabilia

Deadline for donations is 4/21/22
Auction will run online only 4/30/22 at 12pm thru 5/7/22 at 6pm
Contact Becky Brandt with donation offers or questions.

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. 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.

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.

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.

CWS is hosting a Virtual day of Prayer for Ukraine on Wednesday April 13th.

We have watched in horror this week as the violence against civilians in Ukraine has been revealed. In the nearly two months since Russia commenced a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes and countless others have experienced attacks in violation of international humanitarian law, some of which may amount to war crimes.

Join us on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, for a Holy Week interfaith day of prayer for our Ukrainian neighbors and for refugee families in search of safety around the world. Gather with us live at 7:00 pm ET for a moment of prayer, reflection, and renewal of our commitment to peace and compassionate action for the people of Ukraine and for all at-risk people fleeing violence and persecution. Join at facebook.com/churchworldservice

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

Newsletter — April 5, 2022

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line worship; all are welcome! We are singing in person together again! So come and sing boldly!
The session made the decision to keep masking for worship, and masks optional for all other activities in the church building.

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 have our traditional Palm parade at the beginning of worship next Sunday, April 10, so you’ll want to be in the sanctuary at 10am sharp! Following worship, the kids are invited to find treasures at the Easter egg hunt!

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.

“Embracing Emergence” Adult Class: The Embracing Emergence class will not meet on Palm Sunday or Easter. It will resume on April 24 for the three 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 Wednesdays
•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

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/

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.

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. We’ll be receiving the new members in worship on Sunday, May 15.

We will be having a youth group fundraising Cabaret on May 7. See a youth group member for tickets! Silent auction donations needed include:
– Handmade: craft items, knitting, crocheting, painting, photography, woodworking
– New Items: gift cards, baskets, memorabilia

Deadline for donations is 4/21/22
Auction will run online only 4/30/22 at 12pm thru 5/7/22 at 6pm
Contact Becky Brandt with donation offers or questions.

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#

From Community Service: We completed a successful MN FoodShare March Campaign by delivering 131 pounds of donated food to Rosemount Family Resource Center; and in addition, a check for $440 will be sent to them from financial donations by our church family! Thank you for your generosity in supporting our local food shelf, and moving towards ending hunger in our community.

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: During the winter months, the donations to the Little Free Food Pantry (located at the entrance of the driveway) need to be modified to tolerate the extreme cold temperatures we can see here. Please review the attached list of items for what to consider donating; ideal items are dried and in bags, like 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

Holy Week Worship Services

Palm Sunday, April 10, 10 am, with an Easter Egg Hunt for kids following worship.
Maundy Thursday, April 14, 7 pm, featuring a living Last Supper through the eyes of the disciples
Good Friday, April 15, 7 pm, hearing what Jesus does for us through all present
Easter Sunday, April 17: 10 am, experiencing the joy and wonder of Jesus’ resurrection

Join us in person or online via Zoom and Facebook.