Sunday, February 5 / Epiphany Five / Holy Communion / Healing
Mark 1:29–39

8:30 & 11:00 am

Jesus is the healer in the weariness of life. Healing appears in many different ways. Today we introduce opportunities for summer camps and mission trips. Through Christ, our summer programs can bring new meaning to our children and adults alike. Pastor Paul Pettersen, preaching

Today's bulletin announcements.

Upcoming Events

With so much happening, don't forget to check the calendar to see what is going on this week! mittens

February 5 - Registration forms available for summer camps
February 5 - The Orchard "Lutheran Life, Is it Possible?"
February 5 - Blood Pressure Checks
February 7 - N3R ministry (Revive - Recover - Restore)
February 8 - Deadline for registering for ski trip
February 8 - Service and Coffee-time Connection
February 8 - Preaching with the Pastor
February 8 - Wednesday Dinners: Swedish Meatballs
February 8 - Girls Choir Pizza Party
February 11 - Kids' Night Out - please register
February 12 - Preschool 2 faith marker
February 16 - Cherub Choir Pizza Party
February 18 - Overpopulation Crisis Avoiding Global Catastrophe by Ending Our Delusion
February 24-26 - Ski Trip
February 25 - Book Club
March 3 - Zoomobile!
March 4 - Deadline for summer intern applications
March 24 - Mission Bangladesh! Brunch

 

Death & Dying: Part Two—Before We Say Goodbye

November 6 - Having the Conversation: A Heart to Heart with Aging Parents
November 13 - “And Peace at the Last": Tending to the End of Life
November 20 - How Then Shall We Live? Completing Your Advanced Directives as an Affirmation of Life

Click here to go to the power-point presentations, discussion questions from these lectures, and the videos of these lectures, as well as those from the first series given in March.

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Worship 8:30 / 11:00 am
Coffee & Fellowship 9:30 am
Sunday School 9:45 am
Youth & Adult Education 9:45 am

Pastor Paul's Letter

The Desire for Joy

The desire for joy is inherently stronger than the fear of sadness, though under certain circumstances our preoccupation may be with avoiding the latter rather than seeking the former.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century Theologian

reachThe picture to the right was taken this past summer in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

It was captured by my daughter, Hannah, while I was beginning the day with the rising sun. Each morn-ing I greeted the sun with stretching joy, reaching upward in my small attempt to meet the Creator. Our campsite was the perfect location for the meeting.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises…Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord.
Psalm 98:4, 7-8

As midwinter comes, there is the temptation to become preoccupied with avoiding the fear of sadness, as Aquinas describes, but my desire for joy is inherently stronger. Joy is more than happiness, for it remains in spite of circumstances. Joy is found in deep spiritual connection, the unbending confidence in God’s presence, regardless of surrounding condi-tions and events.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
St. Paul, from prison, to the Philippians 4:4-5.

In all times and places, through every circumstance…seek joy, for God is with you. Jesus Christ comes to you. The Holy Spirit blows through you. Seek joy. Stretch in the morning to meet your God. Lean your life toward the light of Jesus Christ. Live your days in love for all creatures and creation. Rest your nights in the confidence that God watches over you.

And when your final day on earth arrives, be ready to awaken to the greatest joy of all. I will be the one you see stretching to meet it.

Peace and joy,

Pastor Paul