Wednesday, January 30, Youth Club will meet from 5:15-7:15 at the RACC. Drop off and pick up will be there. We’ll meet in the small room across from the ice arena where we’ll eat our meal and play games before we skate. We’ll be skating during the regular open skate time which is 6-7:45, although Youth Club kids will finish skating by 7:15, our usual ending time. Middle School kids are welcome to join us anytime they are available.

Happy, Happy, New Year!!!

God is giving us a new year! What a marvelous gift! How will we use? Will we use it to get closer to God? Will we use it to make our own life better? Will we use it to make other people’s lives better? Or if we are having a tough time will we just focus on making it through one day at a time? I would like to spend a moment on getting closer to God.

God desires to get closer to each one of us. The most published book in all the world is the Holy Bible. It also is the least read book unfortunately. Some are intimidated by the size, the language, or the fear of not understanding. Guess what!  The Bible is God’s Living Word. Don’t be afraid of it. If you have not been an avid reader of the Bible before start with the Book of Psalms (You will find a Psalm for every mood) or the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). When you read the Bible highlight the passages that speak to you. Yes you can write in your own Bible! Write down questions you have. Meditate upon passages that touch your heart. Journal about your Bible reading. It would be awesome if every single person at Church were involved in a Bible Study. We would need many people to step up and be Bible Study Leaders. There are many kinds of Bible Studies and some are quite easy to lead and some are more in-depth to prepare. If you talk to a teacher they will tell you they learn more than the students do. Let’s make that a goal in 2019 to get everyone involved in a Bible Study!!! Let’s grow in our knowledge of God’s word in Bible studies galore. If God is tapping on your shoulder to lead a Bible Study, talk to me. It could be a four week, six week, or longer study depending upon the book.

Prayer is tapping into God’s power. We need to block off time in our busy schedules everyday to pray. Actually write it on your calendar if you are struggling to do it. Tell God how much you adore God. Confess any sins you may have committed. Tell God everything you are Thankful for in your life. Then make Supplications. Ask for things you may need or others may need, such as healing, guidance, wisdom, patience, money, etc. Then take time to be quiet and listen.

Worshiping God in community is the design God has given us. We can spend time in nature worshiping God alone, but coming together in community is powerful when we pray, sing, proclaim the Gospel, witness, share  and do mission work together. The Christian Community is designed to give us friendship, love, support, help, and direction which we do not receive if we are a self proclaimed Christian that does not come to church. Church is made up of sinners. We are not perfect people. We come to get closer to God. We come to seek forgiveness. We come to be transformed. If you do not come to church because you see God in nature or think the people in church on Sunday mornings are hypocrites, get off your soap box and get in a pew to worship and praise God.

Listening to Christian Music and hymns can help you get closer to God too when we focus on the messages be sung. I enjoy popular music because of the tune or sound but when I actually listen to the words or messages I am sometimes horrified.

I pray that each one of us grows closer to God in 2019. May Christ’s love radiate in us as we do our best to serve our church, our community and our world. Have a blessed new year!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Scott Prouty

It is a Celebration!

2018 marks 15 years for The Piecemakers!

We had our first meeting on May 21, 2003, and have spent the last 15 years cutting, pinning, tying and sewing. We have shared coffee/treats and stories while putting together quilts for many different occasions. We have had the privilege to make quits many of you have purchased for yourselves or loved ones. We are also humbled to have made many quilts for those sick, hospitalized or just in need of something warm to snuggle.

In honor of 15 wonderful years we are going to raffle a quilt! Chances ($1) will be available to purchase starting March 25. You can purchase them from Char, Marlys or Tina in the office. The quilt will be on display in the Narthex until May 20!

Thank you to all those who have helped us along the way both in your talents! We wouldn’t have had so much fun over the past years without each of you!

The First 150 Years (1867-2017)

We are celebrating our 150th Anniversary all year round but our actual anniversary date is being celebrated on March 26, 10:15 am. Come join us as we are greeted by the Transitional Executive Presbyter of Minnesota Valleys Presbytery, the Rev. Rick Carus of Willmar, the Synod Executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Ruling Elder Elona Street Stewart of Eagan and the Stated Clerk of General Assembly, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson of Louisville, Kentucky.
Our Parish Associate, the Rev. Pamela Prouty, who is both the Stated Clerk of Minnesota Valleys Presbytery and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, our Seminary Student Intern Amy Levinski, our Clerk of Session, Ruling Elder Adrienne Danielson, and Ruling Elder Deb Hess, who is Moderator of Minnesota Valleys Presbytery and I will all be leading morning worship.

We will start worship by having the children, choir and worship leaders proceed into the Sanctuary, the children will sing the introit. The Chancel Choir will be singing later in the service. We will honor those that have been members of our church for fifty years or longer. The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson will give the morning message. He is known to be one of the best preachers in our denomination. Following worship we will take a group photo in the sanctuary. Following the picture, we will have a catered roast beef dinner by Baune’s Cafe at 12:15 pm. The dinner is being paid for funds given by a church member for the anniversary celebration. Please sign up for the meal by March 20, so we have enough food on hand. Following the meal we will have a cake reception from 1:30-3:30 pm, for the public. If able please stay around to have fellowship and greet visitors.

In Christ’s love, Pastor Scott Prouty