March 2025

​Last year as both a congregation and council we began the first steps in what would be a part of what our synod calls Adventures in Renewal. Among the steps we took as a congregation was to view one of the synods video resources. That video introduced the concept that the social landscape of our world is changing and discussed how churches can respond to these changes. Adventures in Renewal is a spirit lead process that empowers churches to be renewed through listening, ministry experimentation, and deep connections in the community. As hopefully people will recall, in 2024 we made our first ventures into ministry experimentation with Suds and Stories of Faith, Coffee and Conversation, and our Community Pet Blessing.  

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This year we have a few ideas that we are developing including Rooted in Love Yoga, a community yoga class that will be offered in our building. This will be a “gentle yoga” class suitable for beginners, that will include a brief spiritual message by Pastor Matt at the end. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in participating in this contact Pastor Matt. It is also our hope to assemble a small team of people to help engage the rest of the congregation in the work of following the Spirit’s lead into future listening activities, ministry experiments, and building relationships in the community. I am reminded of one of Pastor Matt’s favorite quotes “We don’t think our way into new behavior, we behave our way into new thinking”. It is through going out into the community and listening to the stories of others that we will find ways to engage with them as the body of Christ. With the ultimate goal of sharting the freely-given, love and redeeming grace of our Lord and Savior. More information about Adventures in Renewal is available at by clicking here: Adventures in Renewal Resources If you are interested in being a part of this team please speak to Pastor, myself, or Sally Weiland, our Building Relationships Council Chair​.

Looking ahead:
●   Simple Soup Suppers and midweek Lenten Services have begun and will continue on Wednesday evenings through            April 9th with soup at 6 and service at 7pm.
●   Just a reminder that there is now a Thursday 10 am and a Sunday 8:45 am Bible Study!
●   Learning Together intergenerational in person education session March 23rd after worship.
●  The most sacred part of the church year will be here before you know it:. April 13th is Palm Sunday and we will gather            to recount the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His passion and crucifixion.
●   The story flows into our Holy Week services, which are really one service over three days (the Triduum).
      On Maundy Thursday (4/17 @ 7pm), we will remember the last supper and Jesus’ establishment of the Eucharist.
●   Good Friday (4/18 @ 7pm) will bring us back again to Calvary in a solemn service commemorating Christ’s crucifixion.
●   But then, Easter Morning (4/20 @ 10am) brings a festival worship service celebrating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead!

​We will also enjoy Easter Breakfast together (watch for sign up for attendance and to help out in the announcements and your emails).
 
Blessings,
Tom

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