Our Lent worship series is what are you up to?
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” — Mark 8: 31-38
Lent is often known as a time of giving something up in order to make room in our lives for spiritual pursuits. Rather than just “giving up” in Lent, the scriptures ask us to consider all that Jesus is “up to” and all that he asks us to be up to in his name. Instead of bemoaning what we can’t do, or used to do, in a culture where “measuring up” to external standards seems impossible, this Lent we will celebrate the small things that we can do right now to respond to God’s call in our place, for our time.
Week of Compassion Special Offering 2024
GIFTS TO LIVE ON
He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for all of them have contributed out of their abundance,
but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.
Your gifts help make a difference in time of crisis and help people around the world. Click here to make a gift through Givelify.
Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, and we will have an Ash Wednesday service at 7 pm on Zoom. Please have oil or lotion available to make the sign of the cross.
To join us through Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83667666408
To join us through your phone:
(312) 626-6799,
Meeting ID: 836 6766 6408
This Sunday will be our annual Mardi Gras Worship Service. Our Mardi Gras band will be back, and there will be king cake, beads, and lots of fun!! Colors for the day are purple, green, and gold.
You are invited to participate in a 6-week Small Group to discuss Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor. The study will run from the first week of February through mid-March.
If you sign up, what are you signing on for?
- Acquiring the book Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. The book will be read over the course of the six weeks; no need to start reading before the first meeting.
- Participating in a once-a-week small group on Zoom for six weeks beginning in early February. Groups will follow “The Circle Way” meaning they are a place for reflection and sharing, not convincing and debating.
- Spending time over 28 days with daily readings and journaling.
- Being open to conversation with other Disciples from across the Upper Midwest region.
- Being willing to challenge yourself to hear new things and think about things differently.
If this sounds like a commitment you would like to make, please choose either the group that meets on Sunday evenings (beginning February 4) at 6:30pm or Tuesday mornings (beginning February 6) at 10am and register here. Registrations are limited, so please sign up soon.
If you have questions, please contact Mary Jane Button-Harrison.
This opportunity is offered by our Upper Midwest region’s Anti-Racism/Pro-
Join SpringHouse Youth Ministry for our Youth Winter Lock-In for a night of fun, fellowship, food, and activities starting on Saturday, February 3rd and ending on Sunday, February 4th at SpringHouse Ministry Center. This event is open to ALL youth ages 10-18; youth do not need to be an official member of any of the congregations at SpringHouse Ministry Center, so youth are encouraged to invite any/all of their friends! Physical permission slips and release forms will be available in the youth room and in front of each sanctuary starting Sunday, January 6th and MUST be turned in to SpringHouse Youth Minister Chelsea Boyden no later than Sunday, January 28th unless you have otherwise made arrangements with Chelsea prior. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Chelsea at springhouseyouth@fccmpls.org.
Link to online permission slip (will still need to complete physical release form): https://forms.gle/
Pastor Laurie is one of a select group of clergy working in conjunction with Luther Seminary (thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation) as part of the Compelling Preaching Initiative. This initiative seeks to cultivate practices among aspiring and active preachers that can help them to proclaim the gospel to a variety of audiences in more engaging and effective ways.
For the next 4 Sundays, you will be able to fill out a short survey online about the sermon you heard in worship. The QR code will be available onsite in the sanctuary, shown on screen (so have your phone ready!) and will also be placed in the LiveStream chat. This survey will be taken across the country and outside the country.
This year’s New Year Brunch Gathering for women (cis-gender, non-binary, others identifying as women) is scheduled for:
Saturday January 27, 10:30 am @ The Hilltop in Edina, 5101 Arcadia Ave (just off Hwy 100)
10:30 am to whenever but definitely done by 12:30 pm. Lunch is self-pay. We must have your RSVP by January 22, the Monday before. Email Kathy Hintz at kathymsw@msn.com to RSVP.
Annual Congregation Meeting
Sun. Jan. 14 following worship
Trustees slate:
Anna Bliss
Andy Rennert
Elder and Deacon slate coming soon!
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! — 2 Corinthians 5:17
The new year always brings opportunity to move beyond our limitations…to find new beginnings and be better than we were before. We use this cultural word-play in our series title to remember that the most basic transforming experiences of our faith — communion and baptism — are the starting points for life “beyond” our limitations. Let’s make this year one of amazing transformations — for our lives, for our community, for our world!