Newsletter — September 6, 2022

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

COFFEE and CONVERSATION will resume on September 12th. Join Pastor Rob and others Mondays, 9:20-11:00am. CC will be 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#

GriefShare Program Starting Thursday, September 8, 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 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.

Back to Church Fall Kick Off Sunday:
Children’s Sunday School Kick-off: Join us Sunday, September 11, 2022 for our Children’s Sunday School Kick-off! We’ll meet the teachers and get acquainted. Cupcakes and lemonade will be served following the service.

Children’s Sunday School Starting Sunday, September 18, from 9:30-10:15 am. Class will meet upstairs, and also be offered through zoom. Please contact Karen Johnson for more information.

M&M will begin Wednesday, October 5th so mark your calendars! More information coming soon. Please sign up on the sheet in the back of the sanctuary to provide a snack and/or dessert for M&M. If you have questions, please see Loretta Hunt

From Community Service: GARDEN UPDATE: After the Wednesday harvest, last week 188 pounds were delivered, bringing the total for August to a whopping 563 pounds, and total for the year so far is 711 pounds – with more to come! Many thanks to the garden helpers: Karen Johnson, Loretta Hunt, Chris Sachs, Gladys Mbonifor, Marge Braden, and Denise Lewis. This ministry wouldn’t happen without people showing up to do the work.

South of the River CROP Hunger Walk, October 2! St. James Lutheran Church in Burnsville. This is a BIG deal this year, because it is the 10th Annual Walk, and Spirit of Life has been a strong supporter for all of those years: We’ve hosted 3 times, we always field a good-sized team and do some awesome fundraising, and we are actively engaged in the planning of this event every year. How can YOU get involved?

Consider joining the team! By joining the team, you are agreeing to either fund-raise, walk, or both. Here is the link that will take you to the Spirit of Life team page: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/team/spirit-of-life-presbyterian-church By clicking on this link, you can join the team, or donate to the team. More details can be found at the CROP Walk display at the back of the sanctuary. If you bought a t shirt, they will be available at church; plan to wear your shirt every Sunday in September to promote the walk.
Participate in the food drive, by picking up a bag at the back of the sanctuary at the CROP Walk display, and return it filled with non-perishable food items by October 2.
Support the multi-church bake sale on the day of the Walk, at St. James Lutheran Church, from 1:00 to 1:45 pm. There are 4 churches and one neighborhood group selling their baked goods, all in support of the CROP Walk; cash or checks (made out to to CWS/CROP) only. You can browse the bake sale or provide baked goods to sell. Sign-up sheet at the CROP Walk display.
If you have any questions, talk to Denise Lewis.

Our Little Free Pantry continues to be of great service to our hungry neighbors. We would appreciate donations to keep our cupboard full. Preferred items at this time include jars of spaghetti sauce, any pasta, bags of plain white rice, any canned vegetables or fruits, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, Spam, dry milk. These items and any other non-perishables can be placed in the driveway pantry or left in the cabinet inside the front door to the church. Members of the Community Service committee will refill items when needed and thank you very much for your support and donations. We can make a difference in preventing hunger in our neighborhood!

The Justice Works borrowing bookshelf is up and running, so check it out.

It’s Back! Who remembers the “Change for change” bucket offering? Some are familiar with this, others may have questions. With the help of our children, we will continue collecting change in our metal buckets but going forward we’ll give on a monthly basis. Throughout the month, collect your change and bring it on the third Sunday! This is a great teaching tool to help us show each other and the younger generation how fun it is to give when we hear the change drop in the buckets!

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.

2022 Per Capita is $36.50