Newsletter — February 14, 2023

Join us Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 am, with the option of in-person or on-line 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

Children’s Sunday School meets from 9:30-10:15, upstairs in the SS room. Kids can Zoom in for SS if they can’t attend in person. We could use a helper for each week. If you’re available, please reach out to Karen Johnson.

Meet in the Middle meeting Wednesdays at 4:30 and including snacks, group guitar lessons for older kids /playing for younger kids, singing, Holy Moly video and lesson, and conclude with dinner for kids, youth and adults 6:00- 6:30 dinner. Monetary donations for dinner appreciated. If you’re unable to join in person, jump on zoom with this new link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85002502767.

Confirmation Class will be for 7th and 8th graders, on the 2nd Sunday of the month after church. Next class today, February 12th. Parents, please mark your calendars: Confirmation retreat at SOLPC will be Saturday, April 15th, and Recognition Sunday will be May 21st.

Adult Sunday School Class: The God in America adult class will resume following worship on Feb. 5 and will be available online via Zoom. The videos will be shown in class and are also available for free online at PBS. See Steve Braden with questions.

Easter fundraiser: Easter is early this year! Our online flower fundraiser began February 6, 2023 and will run through 10pm 3/2/23. To make a purchase: Go to: https://www.gertensfundraising.com/ Enter Store ID: 149. The “Seller Name” box can be used to note if the flower is for the church. Reminder: NO Lilies for the church as we have someone with a major allergy. Thank you!

“Reflections on the Heart” is our Lent theme. Join us Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, 7pm, as we begin Lent 2023. Each of the following 5 Wednesday evenings (March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, we’ll have a family friendly meal at 6pm sharp, followed by a brief time of worship and family devotions. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know others in our community. Watch for more information on the April 6th, Maundy Thursday potluck supper at 6pm. Also mark your calendar for our Good Friday worship on April 7th, at 7pm. And plan to bring a friend for our special Resurrection Sunday worship on Sunday, April 9th.

The Justice Works committee is organizing a guided group the tour of Mdewakanton: Dwellers of Spirit Lake. We are scheduled for a guided group tour at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 18. If you want to carpool, please be at church by 9:45 am; we should get there a little early to give everyone time to purchase tickets. Ticket cost is $7 FOR EVERYONE. The tour is about one hour, with extra time afterwards for questions. If you are driving on your own, the address is 2300 Tiwahe Circle, Shakopee.

Have you been considering becoming a member of the church? We will be offering a class in the coming weeks so let us know and we will include you! Send a quick email to the office at [email protected] or see Pastor Rob after worship and let him know!

GriefShare Program Thursdays through May 4th! Class begins at 6:30 pm at Spirit of Life Church, Apple Valley. 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.

COFFEE and CONVERSATION Plan to join Pastor Rob and others for Coffee and Conversation on Mondays, at 9:20 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#.

The community service team would like to designate the first Sunday of every month as Little Free Pantry Sunday. As we remember the sacred Last Supper, let us also think of our neighbors in need of food support. For February, we are in need of items that can withstand freezing temperatures. This means NO CANS OR GLASS CONTAINERS. Some items that are useful include white rice, cereal, jelly (plastic bottles only) peanut butter (plastic jars only) pasta, spaghetti sauce (plastic jars only), Mac and cheese boxes, tuna in foil packets, etc. Our pantry has proven very helpful – we notice items being taken very shortly after placement on the shelves. We’ve also received a note of thanks from one user. Thanks so much for supporting this mission.

If you have a prayer request you wish to share with our Spirit Care Prayer Team, please email our deacon, Chris Sachs. Word it as you wish it to be submitted, and we will post it for our prayer team.

2023 Per Capita is $37.50