Newsletter — January 31, 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 Sunday School room. Kids can Zoom in for Sunday School 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 meets Wednesdays. Time together begins at 4:30 and includes 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 is February 12th. Note: we will also plan for a retreat in March or April. 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.

GriefShare Program Starting Thursday, Feb 2, 2023 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.

Easter fundraiser: Easter is early this year! Our online flower fundraiser will be starting soon. Sale begins 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! Becky

Have you been considering becoming a member? 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!

COFFEE and CONVERSATION Plan to join Pastor Rob and others on Mondays, 9:20am. CC is available in person at the church and via zoom. 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#

Community Service Committee Reminder:
It’s time to stock up on cans of soup to support your favorite team on Souper Bowl Sunday February 12.

Our condolences…
Matt Hope passed away Monday, January 16. Matt had celebrated his 99th birthday at church recently. Please Pray for Mary Hope and family. In addition, Spirit of Life also lost another member. Bruce Jacobson died on January 19th. He was 80 years old. A Celebration of Life will be at Grace Nazarene Church on February 5th at 4:00 PM. Irene shares an invitation for everyone to come and say goodbye. Please Pray for Irene Jacobson and family. Hold close all that you love as we know of the love of God our Father who welcomes Matt and Bruce home.

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.

The Justice Works committee is organizing a guided group tour of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s public exhibit called Mdewakanton: Dwellers of Spirit Lake. To schedule a guided tour, we need a minimum of 20 participants, and this is a family-friendly event. Admission for children under 5 is free, K-12 and over age 65 admission is $5; all others, $8. We are looking at either Saturday February 18 or Saturday April 15. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of the sanctuary, indicating which day you prefer and how many people want to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Denise Lewis. Here is a link for more information: https://shakopeedakota.org/culture/hocokatati/.

Annual Meeting was held after worship January 29, 2023.
We say thank you to Ryan Currens and Becky Brandt who will finish their current terms and go off Session in June. Congratulations to the newly elected officers: Kelly Polson (Ruling Elder), Chris Sachs (open class of 2024 Deacon seat), Jann Henkes (Deacon class of 2025). We also welcome Deon Ford, our incoming Clerk of Session.

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