Week of Dec 29-January 4

Women’s Book Group Tuesday, December 30,
7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

There will be no Open Sanctuary/Circle of Prayer on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve.

Church Office closed Thursday, New Year’s Day.

LOOKING AHEAD
LHCC-Walking in Ministry Together Saturday, January 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. A meeting to plan ministry and events for the coming year.

Week of December 22-28

Christmas Eve Worship Wednesday, December 24, 7:30 p.m. “The Light of Presence.”

LOOKING AHEAD
Women’s Book Group Tuesday, December 30,
7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

Walking in Ministry Together Saturday, January 24,
9 a.m.-2 p.m. A meeting to plan ministry and events for the coming year, including breakfast fellowship, light lunch and a prayer walk though the neighborhood.

Week of December 15-21

THIS WEEK
Newsletter articles due Tuesday.

Handbell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Vespers and Communion Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Child Care Center Holiday Dance Recital Thursday 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

The Gift of the Magi presented by First Christian Church, Friday 7:30p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Christmas Eve Worship Wednesday, December 24, 7:30 p.m. “The Light of Presence”

Week of December 7-14

Christmas Dinner today after worship.

Voice Recital 2:30 p.m. Mary Miller, granddaughter of Jerry and Mary, will give a voice recital here today. All are invited to come!

Finance Meeting Monday 7:30 p.m. at Don Wray’s.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

CWF Meeting Saturday 10 a.m. at Mary Bensman’s

LOOKING AHEAD
Live Oaks Meeting Sunday, December 14, after worship.

Christmas Special Offering Sunday, December 14 and Sunday, December 21.

Christmas Eve Worship Wednesday, December 24, 7:30 p.m. “The Light of Presence”

Week of December 1-7

World Aids Day Service and Resource Fair Monday 7:30 p.m. at Judson Church, 4101 Harriet Ave S. Sponsored by TRUST.

Live Oaks Lunch Tuesday 11 a.m. at Eden Prairie Campus of Hennepin Technical College.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Card Writing Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Christmas Dinner Sunday, December 7 after worship. Call the office to sign up.

Christmas Eve Worship Wednesday, December 24, 7:30 p.m. “The Light of Presence”

Week of Nov 3-9

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Card Writing Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Great TRUST Auction Saturday 6 p.m., Lake Harriet United Methodist. Tickets $20 at the door; buy advance tickets from Betsy Wray for $15/$12 youth and seniors.

CWF Meeting Saturday 10 a.m. at Ann Roberts’.

LOOKING AHEAD
Coffee Host Needed for next Sunday and other Sundays in November. Sign up sheet is in the lounge.

Live Oaks Outing Sunday, November 9. Light Lunch/Meeting after church (prepared by Lorna) followed by "It's a Wonderful Life" at Hopkins High School 3 p.m. $10 (seniors). We'll car pool from church.

Finance Meeting Monday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. at Don Wray’s.

Board Meeting Tuesday, November 11, 6:30 p.m.

Worship Meeting after Board Meeting.

Installation of Tammy Rottschaefer as settled minister Sunday, November 23, 2 p.m.

Week of Oct 26-Nov 2

CoAm Luncheon Tuesday, October 27 Noon, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Tickets $10.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Child Care Center Halloween Party Friday 4-6 p.m. Church members are welcome to attend.

Magic with a Message for TRUST parish nursing, Friday, October 31, 7 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer. Tickets $10/$5 under 12.

LOOKING AHEAD
Daylight Saving Time Ends next Sunday. Be sure to turn back your clocks on Saturday night.

Coffee Host Needed for next Sunday and other Sundays in November. Sign up sheet is in the lounge.

Disciples Presence Mission Fair Sunday, November 2, 4 p.m. at First Christian Church.

Great TRUST Auction Saturday, November 8, 6 p.m., Lake Harriet United Methodist. Tickets $20 at the door;
buy advance tickets from Betsy Wray for $15/$12 youth and seniors.

Installation of Tammy Rottschaefer as settled minister Sunday, November 23, 2 p.m.

Week of October 19-26

Newsletter Articles Due Tuesday.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
CoAm Luncheon Tuesday, October 27 Noon, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Tickets $10.

Magic with a Message for TRUST parish nursing, Friday, October 31, 7 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer. Tickets $10/$5 under 12.

Disciples Presence Mission Fair Sunday, November 2, 4 p.m. at First Christian Church.

Great TRUST Auction Saturday, November 8, 6 p.m., Lake Harriet United Methodist. Tickets $20 at the door;
buy advance tickets from Betsy Wray for $15/$12 youth and seniors.

Week of October 12-17

Finance Meeting Monday 7:30 p.m. at Don Wray's.

Board Meeting Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Worship Meeting after Board Meeting.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Vespers and Communion Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

All-Church Halloween Party Saturday, 2-4 p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
CoAm Luncheon Tuesday, October 27 Noon, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Tickets $10.

Magic with a Message for TRUST parish nursing, Friday, October 31, 7 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer. Tickets $10/$5 under 12.

Disciples Presence Mission Fair Sunday, November 2, 4 p.m. at First Christian Church.

Great TRUST Auction Saturday, November 4, 6 p.m., Lake Harriet United Methodist. Tickets $20 at the door;
buy advance tickets from Betsy Wray for $15/$12 youth and seniors.

Special Meeting

Sunday, Oct. 5 - A special board meeting will be held immediately after the worship services for the purpose of acting on the recommendation of the Search & Call Committee.
Following the Board Meeting at approximately 11:30 a.m., there will be a special meeting of the Congregation to receive and respond to the report of the Search & Call Committee. All members are encouraged to be present for the very important meeting.

Week of Sept 29-Oct 5

Women’s Book Group Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Live Oaks October Outing Thursday, 12:30 p.m. We will join the Golden Shepherds of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at their luncheon featuring Betty Rydell “Entertainer of the Year,” at 48th and France. $5 includes lunch.

Elders Meeting Saturday 10 a.m. at Donna White’s.

Wine and Cheese Soiree for TRUST Parish Nursing Saturday 4:30-6:30 at St John’s Episcopal, 42nd and Sheridan. $20 Reservations required, call Mary Corlett 612-825-9208.

Howard Kranz and Jim Feldman CD Release Concert Saturday 7 p.m. at Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave S., $10 admission plus CD.

LOOKING AHEAD
Special Board Meeting and Congregational Meeting Sunday, October 5, after worship, to act on the recommendation of the Search & Call Committee.

CWF Meeting Saturday, October 11 10 a.m. at Donna White’s.

Week of September 21-28

Installation of Rev. Shane Isaac as pastor of Plymouth
Creek Christian Church, Sunday 4 p.m.

Newsletter articles due Tuesday.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Reconciliation Offering will be taken September 28 and October 5.

Live Oaks October Outing Thursday, October 2,
12:30 p.m. We will join the Golden Shepherds of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at their luncheon featuring Betty Rydell “Entertainer of the Year,” at 48th and France. $5 includes lunch.

Elders Meeting Saturday, October 4, at Donna White’s.

Week of September 15-21

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Communion Service Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Installation of Rev. Shane Isaac as pastor of Plymouth
Creek Christian Church, Sunday, September 21, 4 p.m. People of Lake Harriet CC are cordially invited.

Newsletter articles due Tuesday, September 23.

Elders Meeting Saturday, October 4, at Donna White’s.

Week of September 7-14

Finance Meeting Monday 7:30 p.m. at Don Wray’s.

Board Meeting Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Worship Team Meeting follows the board meeting.

Hand Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Card Writing Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

CWF Meeting Saturday 10 a.m. at Barb Rhea’s.

LOOKING AHEAD
Live Oaks Meeting Sunday, September 14, after worship.

Kick-off Sunday

Fall Kick-off

Sunday, September 7
"New Beginnings"

Please join us
after the 10 a.m. worship service
for a light lunch and some
intergenerational fun.

Come and create some food...
some fun...
and some fellowship....

You won't want to miss it!

Sunday school topics
will be revealed
for both the adult and youth classes
during the event.

Come ready to have some fun!

Week of August 31-September 7

Church Office Closed Monday for Labor Day.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m. The fall schedule for Circle of Prayer will begin next week, and we will do card writing on September 10.

Live Oaks to Plymouth Playhouse Wednesday. Meet at 11 a.m. to carpool to lunch at Green Mill and “Church Basement Ladies, A Second Helping.”

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Kickoff Sunday is next Sunday, September 7.

Board Meeting Tuesday, September 9, 6:30 p.m.

CWF Meeting Saturday, September 13, 10 a.m. at Barb Rhea’s.

Week of August 24-31

Newsletter Articles Due Tuesday.

Women’s Book Group Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Circle of Prayer/Card Writing Wednesday,
September 3, 6:45 p.m.

Live Oaks to Plymouth Playhouse Wednesday, September 3. Meet at 11 a.m. to carpool to lunch at Green Mill and “Church Basement Ladies, A Second Helping.”

Week of August 10-17

Live Oaks Meeting Sunday after worship.

Finance Meeting Monday 7:30 p.m. at Don Wray’s.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Circle of Prayer/Vespers and Communion Service Wednesday, August 20 6:45 p.m.

Live Oaks Cookout Saturday, August 24, 4 p.m. at Shirley Westerlund’s.

Live Oaks to Plymouth Playhouse Wednesday, September 3. Meet at 11 a.m. to carpool to lunch at Green Mill and “Church Basement Ladies, A Second Helping.”

Week of August 3-8

Circle of Prayer/Letter Writing Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Live Oaks Meeting Sunday, August 10, after worship.

Live Oaks Cookout Saturday, August 24, 4 p.m. at Shirley Westerlund’s.

Live Oaks to Plymouth Playhouse on Wednesday, September 3. Meet at 11 a.m. to carpool to lunch at Green Mill and “Church Basement Ladies, A Second Helping.”

Week of July 27-August 3

Women’s Book Group Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Twin Cities Disciples Picnic Sunday, August 3,
11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Oak Hill Park in St. Louis Park. Potluck with games and water playground.

Week of July 20-27

Newsletter Articles Due Tuesday July 22.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Women’s Book Group Tuesday, July 29, 7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

Twin Cities Disciples Picnic Sunday, August 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.at Oak Hill Park in St. Louis Park. Potluck with games and water playground.

Week of July 13-20

Disciples of Christ to Feed My Starving Children Monday 6-7:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park office.

Board Meeting Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Communion Service Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Music Sunday next Sunday, July 20, featuring Shirley Westerlund and members of her family.

Newsletter Articles Due Tuesday July 22.

Week of July 6-13

Finance Meeting Monday 7:30 p.m. at Don Wray’s

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Live Oaks Streetcar-Boat Tour Saturday, July 12, 9:30 a.m. carpool from LHCC. Narrated “History and Points of Interest” Tour from Excelsior to Wayzata. Boat cost is $15/person.

LOOKING AHEAD
Live Oaks Meeting Sunday, July 13, after worship.

Disciples of Christ to Feed My Starving Children Monday, July 14, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park office.

Board Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m.

Circle of Prayer/Communion Service Wednesday, July 16, 6:45 p.m.

Week of June 29- July 6

Circle of Prayer/Card Writing Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Church Picnic Sunday, July 6 after worship.

Coffee Hosts are Needed for the month of July. Please sign up on the list in the lounge.

Live Oaks Streetcar-Boat Tour Saturday, July 12, 9:30 a.m. carpool from LHCC. Narrated “History and Points of Interest” Tour from Excelsior to Wayzata. Boat cost is $15/person.

Feed My Starving Children Monday, July 14, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park office.

Week of June 22-29

Newsletter Articles Due Tuesday.

Women’s Book Group Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Search & Call Meeting Thursday 6:30 p.m.

TRUST Youth Car Wash Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer (55th and Penn).

Elders Breakfast Saturday 9 a.m. at the home of Tammy Rottschaefer (6319 Knox Ave. S.; 612-861-7523). Please let Tammy know if you are planning to attend and if you would be willing to bring fruit, bagels, juice or another breakfast item.

LOOKING AHEAD
Circle of Prayer/Card Writing Wednesday, July 2, 6:45 p.m.

Week of June 15-22

Circle of Prayer/Communion Service Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

TRUST Youth Car Wash Saturday, June 21, and Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer (55th and Penn).

LOOKING AHEAD
Elders Breakfast Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. at the home of Tammy Rottschaefer (6319 Knox Ave. S.; 612-861-7523). Please let Tammy know if you are planning to attend and if you would be willing to bring fruit, bagels, juice or another breakfast item.

Week of June 8-15

THIS WEEK
Finance Meeting Monday 7:30 p.m. at Don Wray’s (rescheduled from last week).

Board Meeting Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

TRUST 5K Run Roll & Stroll Saturday 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. start, at Lake Harriet Bandshell.

CWF Picnic Saturday 11:30 a.m. at Jane Anderson’s.

LOOKING AHEAD
CoAM BBQ Ice Cream Social Fundraiser Tuesday, June 17, 6 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 17th Ave. and 42nd St, with 7:30 performance by the Trouble Clefs of WWII era songs. $10, $25/family.

TRUST Youth Car Wash Saturday, June 21, and Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer (55th and Penn).

Elders Breakfast Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. at the home of Tammy Rottschaefer (6319 Knox Ave. S.; 612-861-7523). Please let Tammy know if you are planning to attend and if you would be willing to bring fruit, bagels, juice or another breakfast item.

Week of June 1-8

THIS WEEK
Circle of Prayer and Card Writing Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Live Oaks to “Rescuers of Pets of Katrina”
Thursday, June 5, 12:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. $5 includes lunch.

Church/Child Care Work Day 9 a.m. Saturday June 7. Sign up list is on the board by the kitchenette.

LOOKING AHEAD
TRUST 5K Run Roll & Stroll Saturday, June 14, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. start, at Lake Harriet Bandshell.

CWF Picnic Saturday, June 14, 11:30 a.m. at Jane Anderson’s.

Week of May 26-June 1

Church office closed Monday for Memorial Day.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Live Oaks to “Rescuers of Pets of Katrina”
Thursday, June 5, 12:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. $5 includes lunch.

Church/Child Care Work Day 9 a.m. Saturday June 7. Sign up list is on the board by the kitchenette.

Sunday Sermon- May 11, 2008

The following is a team sermon given by Associate Pastor Tammy Rottschaefer and Rev. Dennis Sanders, a member of Lake Harriet. Below is Dennis Sanders' half of the sermon.

“It Only Takes a Spark...”
Acts 2:1-21
May 11, 2008 (Pentecost Sunday)
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN

A few weeks ago, my partner Daniel and I were coming back from breakfast, when we saw thick clouds of smoke in the area of our house. As we drove closer and closer we were both fearful of seeing our house going up in flames. We came to the house and found everything was okay. We decided to part the car and walk up to where the fire was taking place. It turns out a greenhouse was on fire and basically was destroyed by the fire. We felt relief that our house was okay, but a bit sad that the person who lived on this property would have to deal with the loss.

Fire can be something that brings fear to us. I remember learning about fire drills when I was a kid, and about the whole “stop, drop and roll” if God forbid you catch fire. In our modern culture, fire is something that has been seen as source of fear, something that consumes and destroys. Of course, fire also tends to help us, since it heats our homes and cooks our food. Fire can be beneficial, but I think at times we forget that, we are driven by the fear of getting burned.

Today is the day of Pentecost, what has been called at time, the birthday of the church. This is the day when the disciples of Jesus were holed up in a room waiting for what was coming next after Jesus ascended into heaven. And we read that a mighty wind comes into the room and what appears to be tongues of fire sit on the heads of those gathered. Those gathered start speaking in the tongues of neighboring languages. There are a large number of Jews gathered in Jerusalem from all over the known world. The started seeing Jesus' disciples out and about speaking their native tongues and some were amazed. Others sneered that these guys were drunk.

If you were one of those visitors and you saw this spectacle, what would you think? Would you see it with wonder and awe or with skeptism?

The role of the Holy Spirit here is interesting. The Spirit is portrayed as wind, something Tammy just talked about, and fire. Fire is something that scares us and it should since it is deadly. But I think we are also afraid of the fire of the Spirit as well. We are afraid of the fire of the Spirit because it can not be contained and runs hither and yon and forces us out of our pews and into the world.

In today's passage, Peter begins to explain to the gathered crowd what has just happened. He spoke from the prophet Joel and he says that in the last days, God will pour the Spirit on all flesh and our sons and daughters will be prophets. Do you know what this means? It means that you and I are empowered by the Spirit to be prophets, to preach God's love to all. Note that it doesn't say I will pour out my spirit on all pastors, but all flesh. You and I are called to preach the Good News by the power of God's Holy fire. It doesn't matter how old or young we are. It doesn't matter how rich or poor we are. It doesn't matter how smart we are. God calls us to be prophets, to spread the fire of God.

But it gets better or worse, according your point of view. God will pour the spirit even on slaves. Now, thankfully, we don't have slaves in our society anymore, but we do have people who we tend to look down upon or who we tend not think have much value. This means that God will work in the lives of the poor, or the illegal immigrant, or the person in a wheelchair, or the person who is gay or lesbian. God's Spirit is not contained by the walls of the church. Like a spreading fire, God's Spirit will go where it goes.

The question though, is are we willing to let this Holy Fire into our lives like the disciples did? I think at times we would rather not have this Spirit in our lives, thank you very much. It's too chaotic, too scary. We don't want to share the good news with those around us, and sometimes churches don't want “those people” coming to our church. What could they possibly know about God that we don't already know.

But I think God is calling the church to be the church in the way the church was the church on that Day of Pentecost: a people gathered together and empowered by the Spirit to go into the world and preaching God's good word to everyone. Sometimes churches have been more inward focused, interested in bring people to the church instead of bring the the church into the world- this is what this passage is telling us.
This day of Pentecost is a great day, but it's also a scary day. We are reminded that we are called to follow God's way and to be led by the wild Spirit and that scares us-all of us, myself included, because it pushes us out of our comfort zones and into the big and scary world.

But the Spirit is also there to be our companion. We are not left alone when we join God in mission. The Holy Fire keeps us warm and sustains us when times grow hard.

I want to end with a song that has been buzzing around in my head this past week. It was a song I learned a long time ago in church and in the Christian school I went to growing up. The song is one that some of you may know: It's called, “Pass It On.” It goes like this:

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,And soon all those around can warm up
in its glowing;That's how it is with God's Love,Once you've experienced it,Your
spread the love to everyoneYou want to pass it on.

The last verse continues:

I wish for you my friendThis happiness that I've found;You can depend on GodIt
matters not where you're bound,I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE
GOD!I want the world to knowThe Lord of love has come to meI want to pass it on.

It only takes a spark. It only took a Holy Wind and a Holy Fire to turn a bunch of scared and bumbling disciples into brave disciples that could not stop talking about the love of God through Jesus. That same spark, that same Holy Fire is available to all of us today. It is calling us to go and tell the message. The Lord of Love has come to us, to all of us and we are to go and shout it from the mountaintops and rooftops. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Sermon-May 18, 2008

Below is part of a joint sermon given by Associate Pastor Tammy Rottschaefer and Rev. Dennis Sanders, a member of Lake Harriet. Below is the text from Rev. Sanders' contribution.

E Pluribus Unum”

Matthew 28:19-20, II Corinthians 13:11-13

May 18, 2008 (Trinity Sunday)

Lake Harriet Christian Church

Minneapolis, MN

As some of you know and are probably well sick of me telling you, I love science-fiction. What I love about this genre is that it present modern problems in futuristic garb. And I know that are also know and are sick of me telling you that I love Star Trek for especially, that reason. The groundbreaking television series, with a multicultural cast, dealt with many modern issues, such as war, racism, drugs, sexism and other topics. In the late 80s Star Trek came back to television in the version of Star Trek: The Next Generation. With a new series came new enemies. In the original television series, we had the Romulans and the Klingons. In the new series, we had an even more menacing villain: the Borg.

The Borg are a race of beings half-humanoid, half-android. There is no such thing as individuality or uniqueness among the Borg. They are soulless beings that work as one. They fly around in a ship that looks like giant cube and their job is to assimilate other species into their own collective. Whenever the meet up with a ship, such as the Enterprise, they “greet” their soon to be prey with these words: “We are Borg. Lower your shields. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance is futile.”

Today, the first Sunday after Pentecost, is commonly called Trinity Sunday, the day we remember the concept of God as Three in One; God the Father or Mother, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is always an odd day for Christians and for those of us who are part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in particular. For one thing, this is day devoted not to something in the Bible, but to doctrine, something that came along long after the Bible was written. For Disciples, this is also perplexing, because most of our founders were not considered what some would call Trinitarians. Because people like Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell placed an emphasis on restoring the church to what it was in the first century and because the word “trinity” is not found in the Bible, they did not place a whole lot of emphasis on it. That's not to say they didn't believe in God the Son or God the Holy Spirit, it's just that they wouldn't call that Trinity, nor would they make that a precursor for someone to become part of a faith community.

So, what do we do with this day? Do we ignore it? We could do that. But I think that there is still much to be mined from this day and from the Trinity. I think there is much to learn about who God is and how we can be church in this world. I think the Trinity is less of a doctrine that one must believe than a way to live life.

Now today's texts have nothing to do with the Trinity. I am not going to try to say they uphold the doctrine of the Trinity, because no one was thinking in those terms yet. But they do give some clues about God and about us.

In the closing chapters of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples to go and teach and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He also tells them that he will always be with them until time ends.

Paul ends his second letter to his problem church in Corinth by saying that they should put their affairs in order, be agreeable with each other and greet each other with a holy kiss. And then he ends by saying a phrase that I know that I have heard often: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”

The scriptures today remind us that we have a job to do. Jesus calls us to go into all the world and make disciples. Not make church goers, but disciples: people who will be followers of Jesus, not simply pew sitters. This text is commonly called the Great Commission many a pastor has preached on this text, to tell people to go and tell others about the Good News of Jesus. Congregations are urged to tell people about Jesus and pastors and churches get busy in the work of evangelism. There is nothing wrong with this, provided we don't forget what else Jesus is saying here. We are to go and make disciples and also teach and baptize. We are called to help others understand the ways of Jesus and what it means that God loves us. And we are called to baptize, to formally welcome them into the larger faith community and into the life of being a follower of Jesus.

This seems like a tall order. How can we do this all? The sad fact is that many churches and pastors get involved in trying to be Christ in the world, and forget to take Christ with them. Jesus tells his disciples that he will be with them and God will be a work along with us as we preach, teach and baptize. It is not all on our shoulders. Christ is with us working in the lives of others and sustaining us when the road is long and hard.

If Jesus is giving us a charge of action, Paul is giving us a charge of character. Paul is telling the Corinthians to be in agreement with each other. Now, at first blush, this seems to mean that all the Corinthians must think the same way. The sad thing is that throughout church history, followers of Jesus have decided that everyone must have the same beliefs. People were forced out of churches for not sharing the same views on things as everyone else. That is not what Paul is saying here. Instead, Paul is saying we should not be divisive, or to put it in another way, to disagree without being disagreeable. He then ends it with the “trinitarian greeting.” What interesting here is that within God there is difference and yet unity. The love of God, the grace of Jesus, the communion of the Holy Spirit. Three different aspects of God and yet the same God, all in agreement.

As I said, the Trinity isn't a doctrine to be believed. But I do think it is a way of life to be lived. Within God is diversity. Father/Mother God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Some people refer to the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. When Paul tells the Corinthians to be in agreement, he wasn't calling for them to think the same and be the same. He was calling for this community to be united and yet different.

That is what we are called to be today. We all come here with as unique individuals. We all come from different backgrounds, with different life experiences and different religious and political beliefs. What binds us together, is the love of God, the grace of Jesus and the communion of the Holy Spirit. The church is called to be a place where there is diversity in every way imaginable and yet there is unity as well.

The fact is, the world sorely needs to hear this message. We live in a world where there is a spirit of sameness that is afraid of difference. We sort ourselves out into Republicans and Democrats, straight and gay, black and white and so on. We like to be in communities where everyone things like we do. In a way we are like the Borg, wanting to have a community where difference is not tolerated.

But God is calling us to be a place where we are different. We are called to be a place where we have a common purpose and goal, but where we are different as God is different.

The thing is, this diverse and yet unifying God is with us everywhere. We are reminded of God the Creator in the beauty of creation, we see God the Redeemer, when we receive communion and know that we are loved, no matter what. We see God the Sustainer, when when this diverse bunch of people gather together every Sunday to worship and bear each others burdens. God is with is, God is around us, and God is in us. We are never truly alone and we are called to be welcoming to all we meet.

You don't have to believe in the Trinity. But I do think it is a lesson in how we are to be church: we are to be a community that knows God is with us and that is welcoming to all, even those people that are very different from us.

The fictional Borg, like to say “resistance is futile.” But I think in a world that demands conformity, we can respond with the old Latin phrase, “e pluribus unum,” out of many one. Out of many ways of being, we are united in Christ.

Maybe resistance isn't so futile after all. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Church/Childcare Work Day

LHCC/LHC4kids
Work day June 7th
Sign up on the bulletin board near the kitchenette:
Church Items: Replace toilet paper holder, women’s rest room
(buy replacement)Replace bulbs out in Sanitary(buy replacement bulbs)
Replace bulbs in chandelier
(buy replacement bulbs)
Replace down spouts on Sanitary
beard side(need rivets and cutting tools)
Repair lighting to church signage (buy necessary material and install)
Install office window AC units (remove window and install units)Prep Flower Beds around church yard(buy fertilizer and weed killer as needed)Remove old piano from child care(dispose of it)

Please see list on kitchen bulletin board and sign up along with what you will do.

(contact Duane Drenth-Iverson with any question or concern)

Week of May 18-25

Annual Congregational Meeting after worship May 18. We will be appointing church officers and trustees for the coming year.

Newsletter articles due Tuesday.

Search and Call Task Group Meeting Wednesday 7:30 p.m. at LHCC.

No Open Sanctuary or Circle of Prayer this Wednesday. We will pray from our homes.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD
Live Oaks to “Rescuers of Pets of Katrina”
Thursday, June 5, 12:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. $5 includes lunch.

Church/Child Care Work Day 9 a.m. Saturday June 7. Sign up list is on the board by the kitchenette.

Disciples Together Blog

The Christian Church in the Upper Midwest now has a blog called "Disciples Together." If you want to know the latest events, go to: uppermidwestcc.blogspot.com.

Pentecost Offering to be Received this Sunday

From Disciples News Service:

PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING SUPPORTS NEW CONGREGATIONS
At one point, every congregation was a new church. Since that time, it is likely that thousands of people have had their lives touched by your congregation's programs and ministry. The Pentecost Offering is your opportunity to "pay it forward" by supporting a new congregation. By planting new congregations Disciples establish congregations that also will touch thousands of lives over time. Sixty-five percent of the US population does not live near a Disciples church, and there are many segments of our population that have not had a chance to participate in a Disciples witness. This year's Pentecost Offering will be received in congregations on Sunday, May 4 and Sunday, May 11. For more information on how to support the Disciples New Church movement go to: www.disciplesmissionfund.org/Default.aspx?TabID=112

Week of May 4-11

THIS WEEK
Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

TRUST Plant Sale and Swap Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon,
at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Celebration Please join us in celebrating Kathryn Iverson's graduation from Earlham College at the Sunday May 11 coffee fellowship. Kathryn is receiving a B.A. in biology and will be doing an internship at California State University in Los Angeles this summer.
Congratulations, Kathryn!

Live Oaks Meeting Sunday May 11 after worship Lunch at Denny’s, then go to “Pajama Game.” at Bloomington Civic Theater.

Live Oaks to “Pajama Game” Sunday, May 11, 2 p.m. at Bloomington Civic Theater.

LOOKING AHEAD
Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, May 18 after worship.

Week of April 27-May 4

Women’s Book Group Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Linda Smith’s.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Week of April 20-27

Newsletter Articles Due Tuesday, April 22.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Dining Out for Life Thursday 7 p.m. at Victor’s 1959 Café, 3756 Grand Ave S. Talk to Dennis Sanders if you want to attend.

TRUST Youth ProKart Racing Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m.

Week of April 13-20

Live Oaks Meeting Sunday 12:30 p.m.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Disciples Presence Meeting Thursday, April 17,
6:30 p.m. at LHCC. Talk to Paul Rottschaefer if you
are interested in attending.

Karaoke Night and Pizza Party Saturday 4-6 p.m. at LHCC. Intergenerational fun and fellowship, $5 per person.

Live Oaks will attend the Karaoke/Pizza party as their April outing.

Week of April 6-13 at LHCC

April 6-13 at Lake Harriet Christian Church



Finance Meeting Monday 7:30 at Don Wray’s.

Board Meeting Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Worship Meeting after Board Meeting

TRUST Board Meeting Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at LHCC.

Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

CWF Meeting Saturday 10 a.m. at Barb Rhea’s

This Week @ Lake Harriet week of March 31-April 4

All the events below take place at Lake Harriet:

• Open Sanctuary Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

• Bell Choir Wednesday 6:45 p.m.

• Circle of Prayer Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

• Lectionary Group Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Disciple Identity Survey Results Online

Last fall the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) conducted an online survey to help discern who we are as Disciples in the 21st century. The results are now available as well as a place online to discuss those results. To find out more, go to http://www.disciples.org/21cvt/.

Minnesota Foodshare

March 30 is the last Sunday to recieve offerings for the annual March Campaign of Minnesota Foodshare. As the economy worsens, foodshelf use starts to go up. Minnesota Foodshare has a good list that gives a snapshot of hunger in Minnesota.

So, this Sunday please consider bring a nonperishable food item to church. Better yet, consider writing a check. The foodselves that are supported by Minnesota Foodshare can buy more food with $5 than we could with the same money. Simply make out a check to Lake Harriet and put "Minnesota Foodshare" in the memo line.

As an Easter people, let's help the "least of these" live into the ressurection of the everlasting God.

Easter @ Lake Harriet

Easter Sunday was...a tad odd. Since it was so early this year, we had the rare experience of having a snowstorm on Easter. Driving to the early service was a hassle.

However, once we started, things went well. Our early service this year was a group effort, with our youth, Brad and Lester offering music. Brad played a wonderful tune on the sax and Lester plugged in his electric guitar. Brad's mother, Karin rythmically opened the baptistry where a light was streaming to signify the opening of the empty tomb.

Our regular 10am worship had the bell choir play "Thy Word," and a regular "tag-team" sermon by myself and Tammy. To top it off, we had a wonderful song by Bob Rhea, our octogenerian tenor.

Sometimes Easter worship can take on the air of a performance. But this year, at this place, the people worshipped together. We all left knowing that Christ was truly alive and well.

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

Good Friday at Linden Hills

On Good Friday, Lake Harriet was invited to worship with Linden Hills United Church of Christ. Linden Hills has a quiet, service of meditation, where people go from station to station of Jesus' life and reflect and pray. I took some pictures of the sanctuary as it was being set up:

The Last Supper:



Jesus and Barrabas:



Jesus at the Cross:

News from the Upper Midwest Region

Here is the latest news from the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest:

Camp Forms Available
A week of camp can change a persons life, help a congregation grow their own youth ministry, recruit new ministers for the next generation and help bring congregations together in a ministry we do together. Go Here for more information.

2008 Easter Special Offering
This offering provides financial resources for general ministries of the church. Contributions to the 2008 Easter offering benefits many ministries including Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, Global Ministries, web and internet ministries, Ministerial Relief and Assistance plus many more. Click to read more .

Transforming in Troubled Times
Mainline churches are in distress. The old ways aren't working. Congregations are struggling. And people feel overwhelmed by the rapid change taking place all around them. It's in times such as these, that bold and decisive action is needed.

The Congregational Transformation Task Group invites all ministers to attend a three day event, "Transformation In Troubled Times, May 1-3 at West Des Moines Christian Church. Lay leaders are encouraged to attend on Saturday. The facilitators include Dr. Ben Bohren, Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Northern California/Nevada and Dr. Barbara Blaisdell, pastor of United Community Church in Hilo, HI. Please go here to register.

Holy Week Events @ Lake Harriet

Hiho,

Just wanted to let you know of all the Holy Week Events taking place at Lake Harriet. Some of them are going to be in conjunction with Linden Hills United Church of Christ in South Minneapolis.

Without further ado, here is our video explaining Holy Week.

Palm Sunday Sermon @ Lake Harriet- Tammy Rottschaefer

On Palm Sunday, the sermon was given by Rev.Tammy Rottschaefer, Associate Pastor and Rev. Dennis Sanders, a member of Lake Harriet and a regular supply preacher at the congregation. Tammy and Dennis have frequently shared the pulpit on Sunday mornings during this time of transition as the congregation is searching for a new Senior Minister. Below is the second sermon given by Tammy Rottschaefer. The text for this Sunday was Matthew 21:1-11.

WHAT CAN A WEEK HOLD?

Assoc. Pastor Tammy Rottschaefer

WHAT CAN A WEEK HOLD? ....



Well, here we finally are! We have once again entered Holy Week. As Christians, each year we "wade in the water" of Jesus the Christ's final week of human earthly life.



It's frustrating though. We've just gotten a good party goin' this morning with a little palm waving, if even only in our imaginations...and its interrupted...by challenges of life. Not only the repeated stories of Jesus' troubles, but everyday troubles of our own as well.



This weeks prayer concerns in our midst have grown...

Palm Sunday Sermon @ Lake Harriet- Dennis Sanders

On Palm Sunday, the sermon was given by Rev.Tammy Rottschaefer, Associate Pastor and Rev. Dennis Sanders, a member of Lake Harriet and a regular supply preacher at the congregation. Tammy and Dennis have frequently shared the pulpit on Sunday mornings during this time of transition as the congregation is searching for a new Senior Minister. Below is the first sermon given by Dennis Sanders. The text for this Sunday is Matthew 21:1-11.

“It's Sunday, But Friday's Coming.”
Matthew 21:1-11
March 16, 2008 (Palm Sunday)
Lake Harriet Christian Church
Minneapolis, MN

A little over nine years ago, I was on one of the most life-changing trips of my life. I was in my second year of seminary and decided to use the January-term to take part in one of the cross-cultural experiences all seminary students had to take. I decided to do the one in Honk Kong/China. It was led by Paul Martinson a professor at Luther Seminary, who happened to be born in China to Lutheran Missionaries. We spent two weeks in Hong Kong, learning about life in the city, especially after the changeover from British territory to a part of China. But far more interesting was the week we spent in Mainland China. We flew from Hong Kong to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in Western China. Our objective during this part of the trip was to see Chinese Christianity in action, especially in the small villages that we an hour's drive from Kunming.

We were greeted by the villagers as if we were movie stars. They gave us the royal treatment, the best food and a place of honor at the local church service. For many, this was the first time they had seen Christians from the outside world and they were excited to see us.

I remember one such greeting. We got out of our bus and had to walk a short distance to the village. We could see from the distance that the town had pulled out all the stops. The townsfolk lined the streets and there was a banner welcoming us. There was loud cheering as we walked down the Main Street. It was a joyous day to meet fellow Christians from the other side of the world.

Easter People...Resurrection...Born Again

From Associate Pastor Tammy Rottschaefer:

March begins, and like the snow-shrouded ground forced to be introspective by nature regarding its coming growing season, we find ourselves in that every-year time of waiting for the resurrected life of Spring to burst forth. No wonder that through the ages the coming of the new-life season of spring and the celebration of Easter, marking Christ's resurrection, have been woven together.

Etymology Dictionary

Easter O.E. Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre), from P.Gmc. *Austron, a goddess of fertility and sunrise whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox, from *austra-, from PIE *aus- "to shine" (especially of the dawn). Bede says Anglo-Saxon Christians adopted her name and many of the celebratory practices for their Mass of Christ's resurrection. Ultimately related to east. Almost all neighboring languages use a variant of L. Pasche to name this holiday.

resurrection c.1290, from Anglo-Fr. resurrectiun, O.Fr. resurrection, from L.L. resurrectionem (nom. resurrectio) "a rising again from the dead," from pp. stem of L. resurgere "rise again" (see resurgent). Replaced O.E. æriste. Originally a Church festival commemorating Christ's rising from the dead; generalized sense of "revival" is from 1649. Also used in M.E. of the rising again of the dead on the Last Day (c.1300).

In the weeks since our Sunday morning text was taken from John 3 (the nighttime conversation between two Rabbis, Nicodemus and Jesus), I have continued to be moved by this particular passage:

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. ²He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.' ³Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.' ⁴Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?' ⁵Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. ⁶What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above."

--John 3:1-7

Perhaps it is the "season" of my own life, in which I find myself more attentive to the deaths and births of life. When I was younger, life seemed all about birth. Now I have just been to a memorial service celebrating the life of a dear friend who, just before diagnosis of his own life-taking illness, had recently spoken about the loss of so many friends to death; I daresay he had become more focused on the deaths of life. In my own middle years of a life's expected span, I find that I am keenly aware, and surrounded by, both birth and death.

As Jesus talks to Nicodemus, I hear him trying to help us understand that we all live our entire lives as Easter people, renewed over and over again in the cycles of life, until we die from this earthly life, to be born again in resurrection through the ultimate healing and living power of the God of wholeness.

During our lifetimes, we yearn to live into that ultimate vision of God-wholeness over and over again; loving God, neighbor and self in all the myriad ways that we can. When we do come to the end of our earthly days, love of the kind Jesus showed us becomes the womb by which God overpowers death, and we are born again.

Jesus the Christ not only told Nicodemus of that born-again-resurrection; we know of the risen Jesus calling us forth to a coming resurrection from the stories of the garden on the third day following Jesus' burial. We tell the stories of Jesus' resurrection each year. Do we believe that God sent him to tell us, that in Christ, this is our story as well?

If resurrection only belongs to Jesus, as a story, it isn't real. It is only real if it is truly believed to be our own story as well.

This Easter, do we have a story to tell?

"Dying is a wild night, and a new road."

--Emily Dickinson. (1830-86)

Tammy Rottschaefer

Associate Minister of Spiritual Formation

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper