Newsletter

10970 185th Street West ♦ Lakeville MN 55044 ♦ 952-435-5757 ♦ www.familyofchrist.com

2020

Giving it Up, Lenten Worship Series Lent is often seen as the season of giving things up so we can get closer to God and grow our faith. We fast from chocolate, drinking, or ice cream for forty days. Doing so can be a very beneficial thing for us, but often what we give up is a sign of greater change that needs to happen in our lives. Join us for this seven-week lectionary series that takes “Giving Up” one step further and reflects on the real change that God’s Grace can have on our lives and our community.

March 1

st Giving Up Control

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11

March 8th Giving Up Expectations

Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17

March 15th Giving Up Status

John 4:5-42

March 22nd

Giving Up the Past John 9:1-41 March 29

th Giving Up Our Lives

Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45 April 5

th Palm Sunday- Giving Up Popularity

Matthew 21:1-11

April 12th Easter Sunday- Giving Up Death (Easter Sunday)

Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18

Messy Faith Adult Ed

Our faith journeys aren’t

always as cut and dry as we would like them to be and difficult conversations can challenge us as individuals

and communities.

How do we have these difficult conversations while

still growing and not breaking down relationships or

communities? In a world that is so often divided by

certain issues, how do we have fruitful conversations

that help us all grow?

Join us after worship on Sundays in March as we

continue this conversation. Topics will be listed each

week in the bulletin.

Meet in the Conference room 10:45am-11:30am.

All voices are needed.

2

Ash Wednesday Worship,

February 26th

We begin our Lenten journey with Ash

Wednesday. This service is an invitation to

observe a Holy Lent through the practices of

prayer, worship, service, the sacraments and

community. Join us at 6:40pm on February

26th as we start our journey towards Easter.

This will be appropriate for all ages

We need help with food for the Soup Suppers! Please sign up to bring soup, sandwiches, dessert, or other items on the bulletin board or on the web-site. Below are a list of groups that we hope will be leading each week, but all are welcome to sign up.

March 4 - Soul Sister

March 11 – Men’s Ministries

March 18 - Church Council and Children, Youth & Families

March 25 – Bible and Book Studies and Community Care

April 1 – Worship and Music

Faith and Film, Lenten Worship

beginning March 4th

from 6:40pm-7:15pm We often think that the only place we can learn faith is at church and with “Christian” programs and literature, but God’s message of Love, Grace, forgiveness and faith are all around us. This includes many of the movies and programs we watch. Join us as we look at the core values of Family of Christ and how movies can often speak to that which we hold sacred. Worship will be Wednesdays during Lent, from 6:40pm-7:15pm beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 26

th. Starting March

4th we will also have Soup Suppers at 6:00pm.

This will be appropriate for all ages.

Join us Wednesday Nights at 6:40pm starting March 4th as we worship together using the Holden Evening prayer. This is great chance to worship as a family as we walk towards Easter.

Practicing our Faith- Learning Spiritual Disciplines

Most of us looking for ways to grow in our faith and our relationship

with God and one another. Join us Wednesdays after worship at

7:15pm as we try various spiritual practices that have worked for

others in the past. Come and discover new and old ways to nourish

your soul and grow in your faith. This will be appropriate for all ages

but will be geared towards those in late elementary school and older.

Wednesdays in Lent 6:00 Soup Supper

6:40 Holden Evening Prayer Worship 7:15 Practicing Faith

3

Children, Youth, and Family Update

As we move into this season of Lent and Easter we do so with continued hope and strong and

growing youth ministry. We have put into place many of the changes that we lifted up last summer

and continue to have new programming emerge particularly with “Messy Church” and “Play and

Praise”. Our Senior High Youth have just completed a series on Faith and the Arts with members

of the community sharing their experiences and talents. Confirmation continues to be moving

forward and our new mentor program has enhanced relationships with our youth. We have been

struggling to finding a CYF director and because of this we are looking at reorganizing current staff

and changing responsibilities of the position to better meet our changing needs and the future of

the church. Please know that our youth and family’s best interest is always priority in this. Thank

you for all of you who continue to step into important roles in these ministries you are a blessing.

Here are some other highlights:

* Luther Park Camp registration continues for June 21-26. $150 scholarship will be given to

all who attend. Register at www.lutherpark.com

* Senior High Youth are preparing for the mission trip to Chicago from July 12-18th. There

will be several fundraisers coming up to help support these youth and their chaperones.

* Wednesdays in Lent will be for the whole family. Join us from 6:00pm-6:40pm for soup

supper and 6:40pm-7:15pm for Worship.

* “Lent in a Box” Kits are still available for each family and to share with a neighbor.

Grab one and give it a try.

* We are looking to reorganize and clean up the Youth Room creating some new

community space. Let us know if you want to help with this.

Wednesday Night Youth Programming Beginning on March 4th all Wednesday night

classes will start with soup supper at 6:00pm,

go to worship at 6:40pm and continue with

confirmation and youth group from 7:15pm-

8:00pm. Families are invited to join them as we

will have activities for all ages during the 7:15pm

-8:00pm education times. Youth will also be

leading pieces of the worship and ushering.

LUTHER PARK CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES 2020 Attention Family of Christ kids and parents! We have designated a week at Luther Park for FOC kids to sign up and attend camp with their church friends! * June 21-24, 2020: half week for 1-4th graders * June 21-26, 2020: full week for 3-6th graders in the Cabins * June 21-26, 2020: full week7-12th graders in The Treehouse

Go to www.lutherpark.com to register.

First Communion On Saturday, April 4

th from 9:00am-12:00pm

we will have a first communion class for

those 1st grade and older, or those whose

parents feel their child is ready. This is a

time for both the youth and their parents.

First communion will take place on Thurs-

day, April 9th at 7:00pm during our Maundy

Thursday worship when Jesus gave this gift

to his disciples. Please contact Pastor Brent

if you are interested in being part of this

group or sign up on the bulletin board.

4

Book Club

Thursday, March 26th 7:00pm

We will be discussing This Tender Land: A Novel

by William Kent Krueger

Join us in the Fellowship Space at Family of Christ.

Contact us at office@familyofchrist.com or call the main office with questions.

Annual Ladies Spring Luncheon

Saturday, April 25 at 11:30am

$20 per ticket (advance sales only)

All food included in ticket price

All Proceeds go to 360 Communities

Watch for tickets sales and additional information

Spring Clean Up

We are looking for several people to help us

clean out and sort through our youth room,

choir room, cry room, and storage room so

we can better use these spaces.

Let Pastor Brent know if you can help.

We will kick off our Socks and

Underwear drive on March 1st and end on

Palm Sunday, April 5th with an Undie

Sunday. Bring in new socks and

underwear and place them in a bin in the

church entry ways.

360 Communities – Canned Soup

Each month we are lifting

up different items to support

our partnership with our

local food shelf. During lent

we invite you to bring cans

of soup along with other

basic food staples to

donate. Our hope is to

gather 300 cans of soup on

Wednesday nights during

our soup suppers. Let’s

together make a difference

in the lives of our neighbors.

5

Interested in Membership at

Family of Christ?

Family of Christ is a very active church with lots of opportunities for all age groups, ranging from

toddlers to senior citizens. Membership is not a requirement for involvement but membership will

enhance your experiences here. We are a member-driven congregation where new ideas from

members often generate new ministries and opportunities for growth and service.

Join us for an informational Brunch on Sunday, March 15th from 10:45-11:45 in the Multi-Purpose Room. Contact Pastor Brent pastorbrent@familyofchrist.com or fill out the bulletin insert if you are interested.

Special Thanks

There are so many ways in which you help make Family of Christ

the community it is. This month we want to say a special thanks

to...

* All those that support camping ministries through Luther Park.

* The group that gathered to create Lent in a Box.

* All those that serve and donate to Red Cross blood drives.

* Our Fellowship Servers who provide wonderful snacks and

beverages that allow us to be together.

* All those that continue to volunteer and support FMSC.

A Letter from Tanzania Here is a part of just one of several letters from our Tanzanian School Scholarships program. Your support makes a difference.

Dear Family of Christ, I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, My name is Heri Daima Mbugi, I am a student of Bomalgaombe Secondary School. The aim of writing this letter, I want to say thanks for helping my parents and me also to pay for school fees. Also in my subject I’m doing somehow but my dream I want to be a pastor. God bless you all members of Shoulder to Shoulder. Yours sincerely, H. Mbugi

See other letters and thanks in the hallway near the entrance.

Feed My Starving Children Thank you for all your help with this year’s South Metro Meal Pack. The South metro Churches packed over 2.1 Million meals that will feed 5,785

people. This will truly make an impact. Thank you to those that volunteered

and donated to this important ministry.

Community Impact and Welcoming Meetings

On February 18th several of us met to discuss

how we can better serve the community around

us and welcome new people into Family of

Christ. Let Pastor Brent know if you would like

to be a part of this ongoing conversation over

the next few months.

6

FINANCIAL UPDATE

January 2020

Total income for the month was $29,766

Total expenses for the month was $26,787

YTD Given: $27,319 YTD Budgeted: $26,885 (as of January 31st, 2020)

FEBRUARY GIVING TO DATE

Date Attendance

Sunday

Giving

Electronic

Giving

GENERAL

FUND

02/02/2020 123 $2,206 $1,758 $3,964

02/09/2020 80 $3,392 $4,824 $8,216

02/16/2020 114 $5,307 $1,734 $7,041

“FoCus” is a monthly publication of Family of Christ Lutheran Church.

Please contact the church office to submit items

Family of Christ Lutheran Church is a member of the ELCA

Email us at: office@familyofchrist.com Visit us at: www.familyofchrist.com

Telephone: 952-435-5757 Office Hours: 9:00-3:30 Tues—Thurs

Closed Monday & Friday

MISSION OF THE MONTH

“THE DRAWER” collects and distribute NEW socks and underwear to men, women, and children. This grass roots ministry receives donations from community members, non-profits, and faith-based organizations. They also will provide training and support for organizations who wish to provide and distribute these items in their own context.

Men's Bible Studies:

Join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings

as we come together for fellowship, food

and a chance to look at the scriptures and

our lives.

—Tuesdays – 6:30 a.m. —Thursdays – 8:00 a.m.

Women’s Bible Study

Mon., March 2 at 10:00am For more information contact

Linda Bartz or the church office

at office@familyofchrist.com.

Family of Christ Staff Ministry Team:

Lead Pastor: Pastor Brent Erler

Pastoral Intern : Megan Eide

Interim Children’s Minister: Cary Whittington

Musicians: Mary Wescott, Morgan Jones,

Laura Porter-Jones,

Jessica Christensen

Choir: Debra Capener

Administrative Asst: Linda Bauer

Custodian: Kelly Kritsberg

7

March Family of Christ Servants

Please notify Linda at the church office if you make changes to the schedule. THANK YOU!!!

Sunday

03/01/20

Soundboard

Nathan Blilie

Closer

Chuck Halvorson

Communion

Servers

Mike Anderson

Rhonda Arnold

Cindy Carlson

Jim Carlson

Communion Setup

Kirstin Specht

Fellowship

Audrey Carlson

Jenn Hatlestad

Greeters

Basballe

Family

Offering Count

Chuck Halvorson

Kirstin Specht

Opener

Gerry Wills

Reader

Chad Specht

Ushers

Ed Hellier

Charlie Johnson

Sunday

03/08/20

Soundboard

Ken Davidson

Closer

Kevin Hatlestad

Communion

Servers

Lisa Cecchini

Kathy Derner

Becky Donner

Paul Donner

Communion Setup

Karen Agee

Fellowship

Karen Agee

Martha Johnson

Greeters

Youth

Youth

Offering Count

Lisa Cecchini

Kevin Hatlestad

Opener

Lisa Cecchini

Reader

Youth

Ushers

Chad Specht

2 Youth

Sunday

03/15/20

Soundboard

Kris Smith

Closer

Amy Klimpke

Communion

Servers

Kevin Hatlestad

Ed Hellier

Pete Nelson

Kris Olsen

Communion Setup

Rhonda Arnold

Fellowship

Angie Korsa

Betty Peterson

Greeters

Linda Bartz

Maury Bartz

Offering Count

Jim Schiprett

Kris Smith

Opener

Kevin Hatlestad

Reader

Jim Carlson

Ushers

Cindy Carlson

Jim Carlson

Sunday

03/22/20

Soundboard

Donny Bergquist

Closer

Lisa Cecchini

Communion

Servers

Linda Bartz

Maury Bartz

Josi Hellier

Luke Hellier

Communion Setup

Audrey Carlson

Fellowship

Cheryl Wills

Gerry Wills

Greeters

Audrey Carlson

Lisa Cecchini

Offering Count

Shirlee Benson

Angie Korsa

Opener

Gerry Wills

Reader

Sheila Ehrich

Ushers

Ryan Basballe

Janeen Immerfall

Sunday

03/29/20

Soundboard

Jeremy Mann

Closer

Amy Klimpke

Communion

Servers

Carla Passon

Scott Passon

Betty Peterson

Kris Smith

Communion Setup

Jenn Hatlestad

Fellowship

Jenn Hatlestad

Martha Johnson

Greeters

Jim Korsa

Pete Nelson

Offering Count

Amie Hoffman

Duane Hoffman

Opener

Chuck Halvorson

Reader

Emma Johnson

Ushers

Chuck Halvorson

Barb Martin

8

10970 185th Street West

Lakeville MN 55044

Dates to Remember March 1 - Sunday Worship and Education

March 4 - Soup Supper/Lent Worship

Practicing Faith

March 8 – Sunday Worship and Education

March 11 - Soup Supper/Lent Worship

Practicing Faith

March 15 - Sunday Worship and Education

March 18 - Soup Supper/Lent Worship

Practicing Faith

March 22 - Sunday Worship and Education

March 25- Soup Supper/Lent Worship

Practicing Faith

March 29 - Sunday Worship and Education

Vision Statement

Family of Christ seeks to be a

Grace filled family of God, living the

Gospel through faith, love and

compassion.

Our Core Values F-A-M-I-L-Y:

Faith

Acceptance

Meaningful relationships

Impact

Love

Youth