vista news · an amish christmas story. what would happen if you found out someone has been...
TRANSCRIPT
It’s official … on October 13th I was voted in as Vista’s 1st pastor.
I am so honored and excited to accept this call to Vista and it’s people.
To share the Gospel, To be part of the family of faith at Vista, To lead (and follow) Vista into God’s future and dreams for us. To welcome guests at our table as we explore ways to be God’s church in 2020. To be part of this exciting journey of faith, renewed energy and trust.
Together we are Vista Lutheran! We continue the journey that was still a dream a year ago.
As I remember we were excited, anxious, hopeful, grieving the loss of Pastor Eric, unsure of even our next step or the timeline. Our feelings were in turmoil.
Questions abounded: •could we be God’s people together? •what would we loss? •what would we gain? •what would leadership look like? •where would we worship? •would we like each other? •could we trust the Spirit to lead us? •… and the list went on.
And God said trust, follow, let me lead you.
Today we have answered many of the questions. We followed, hoped, dreamed, grieved, praised and claimed the journey as ours.
We are Vista Lutheran.
We have so much more to do …. but now it’s walking boldly into God’s future.
We all have been called together!
God is calling us to be a new church. Not just a comfortable continuation of what our congregations were before Vista.
Questions still abound, but they’re different: How will we show up differently? Where will Mission Visioning lead us? Where will Worship Visioning change us? How can we use the God given funds of
the sale of former Prince of Peace to truly be a vista of God’s love to the community of St. Louis Park and God’s world?
Are we willing to accept the change that will happen is Spirit driven ?
Will we trust our leaders as we step into the next phase of consolidation and our future as Vista?
Will our church continue to grow and bless the community?
And God says trust, follow, let me lead you.
Our questions will be answered. We will follow, hope, dream, grieve, praise and claim the journey as ours. A journey that is a gift.
I am thankful for your trust in me as your leader! I am thankful for all of the possibility that is Vista Lutheran. I am thankful for you!
God is at work in this place and in each of us. To God be the Glory!
Pastor Heidi
Pastor’s Article
Vista News
December 2019
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24
4:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Service with Candlelight (nursery care provided)
9:45 pm Special Music Prelude
10:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service
Sunday after Christmas, Dec. 30th
9:30 am Service of Carols & Communion
Christmas Eve
Advent Dec. 1 Watch Mary & Joseph Praise Choir
Dec. 8 Turn Elizabeth & Zechariah Installation of Pastor Heidi
Dec. 15 See John th Baptist Children Led Worship/Program
Dec. 22 Dream Bethlahem Vista Bell Choir
We are blessed as we walk this sacred journey of Advent to Christmas. As we Watch for the face of Jesus in those around us,
as we Turn from the things that would distract us,
as we See the Christmas story through the eyes of our children
as we Dream with God what the world could be.
Join us for worship …
May your Advent and preparations for Christmas be blessed!
Vista Children’s Chorus with Vista Lutheran Choir
Accompanied by harp, clarinet, & violin.
Sunday, December 15 5:00 pm
Performing Tchaikovsky’s
Nutcracker Suite, Rossini’s William Tell Overture, and a variety of
Holiday Favorites. Admission is Free.
9:45 pm Special String Prelude
Candlelight Worship with Vista Chorus, and Cavatina String Quartet—10 PM Worship
December 11 We leave the church at
6PM
Special Events at Vista
December 15 Children’s Led
Christmas Worship, & Pot Luck
Holiday In Brass No Limits Youth Brass Choir
Celebration of Wooddale Musicale
Saturday, November 30
4:00 pm
Pastor Heidi Zimdars
Dec. 8th
9:30 Worship
Luncheon to follow. Donations for gift are being collected by
Debbie Olson
Our new logo unveiled on Sunday, Nov. 24th.
A Special thank you to it’s crea-tor—Brandon Gallagher Watson and the branding team.
We are blessed!
The executive team and church council have authorized Vista to move forward to call an associate pastor. This committee will be comprised of appointed mem-bers and members-at-large from the congregation.
There is an application for the members-at-large on the sign up desk or call the church office for a PDF.
Hat & Mitten Tree
Bring in waterproof mittens and hats to be
given to our grade schools for children in
need.
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train returns to St. Louis Park. Arrive on site ahead of the train to enjoy warm food and beverages, listen to holiday music, drop off your food shelf donation, and grab
a good spot.
The event is free. Attendees are invited to bring a healthy food item or financial donation for STEP. The mission of the Holiday Train is to address food insecurity in the communities it stops.
People are welcome to start gathering at 4:00pm. Music, hot food and beverages will be available. The train’s estimated arrival is 6:00 p.m. The concert from the train will only be viewable from the west side of the tracks. Once the train pulls in, it will not be possible to cross to the other side of the tracks. Check out the STEP event page for all the up-to-date details.
Each year STEP brings joy to over 500 St. Louis Park children by providing toys over the holiday season. With your help we can
continue that tradition this year.
For ideas see the online wish lists at Amazon & Target. Target Gift Cards are also in great demand for this program.
Please bring your new, unwrapped toy or gift card to Vista no later than Sunday, December 15. All donations will be blessed during worhip and then delivered on Monday, December 16.
To help better sort toys, attach the retail value of each item donated. Items in the $20 to $40 range are ideal.
Please no stocking stuffers, decorations, make-up, violent toys, balls, or used toys. Thank you!
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Returns
to St. Louis Park Wednesday,
December 11, 2019
Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army On Wednesday,
December 4, our youth will be ringing bells for
the Salvation Army from 6-8 pm at the
Knollwood Cub Foods.
Thursday, December 19
Social Ministry
Tuesday December 24
Tuesday December 10
6:45 pm Team 4
DID YOU KNOW?
• We do Meal Train when someone needs short term meals after hospital stay, prolonged illness, rehabbing at home. If you know someone who might benefit from this help please contact Pastor Heidi or Cindy Ranwick in the church office.
• We have a card ministry. If you know someone who might benefit from a card from Vista let Cindy know in the church office and we will see that it happens!
• We have a prayer ministry. Do you need some extra prayers? Or know someone who could use that extra support? Or maybe you have prayers of thanksgiving? These prayers are confidential. Contact Pastor Heidi, Cindy in the office or Joani Hoffman at [email protected].
• Our knitting group makes prayer shawls, baby blankets for our newborn babies, and hats and scarves for the homeless. Let us know if you know anyone who might appreciate a prayer shawl.
• Did you know that we make and serve meals for Our Saviors Homeless Shelter and TreeHouse on a regular basis? We drive for Dinner at Your Door. We host Fare for All. If interested in any of these projects please contact Social Ministry and we will connect you up with the contact person.
• Did you know that we do Feed My Starving Children 4 times a year? The first time we had 14 people working. Now we average 25-30! Watch for upcoming dates.
• Did you know we sponsor several youth for gifts over the holiday? Plus we continue to sponsor Toys for Step and hats and waterproof mittens for our local schools? Watch for upcoming information.
• This year Vista is doing an ongoing ministry from POP and filling Thanksgiving Food Bags and gift cards for 20 families from our Jewish neighbors.
• Did you know we sponsor several bloodmobiles during the year.
• We are going to be sending around 100 handmade children dresses and shorts down to Guatamala?
And …
we continue to look for more ways we can serve. Let us know if you have any ideas of other ways we may serve. GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS
Saturday Book Club
December 7 at 10:00
All are welcome!
An Amish Christmas Story. What would happen if you found out someone has been impersonating you? Sara Murray had never met her mother's parents and was surprised to learn after her death that they were Amish living in Pennsylvania. When she is finally able to make the trip to meet them, she is shocked to learn someone else has been living with them and pretending to be Sara. Sara can't understand how quickly her grandparents are willing to forgive the imposter. Can Sara find a way to forgive the past and move on to building new relationships?
BRR! IT’S COLD OUT HERE! WHAT???
None of us want to be thinking about this but it won’t be all that long and we will be bundling up against the cold of Minnesota. So, we are calling all knitters and crocheters to start working on those scarves, mittens and hats for the homeless. Can’t knit or crochet? Store bought knit items are welcome! There is a bin in the centrum area to put your items in and we will see that they are distributed as needed. Thank you for your
We meet on Mondays at 1:00. Please come and join us for some good conversation while needles and fingers are busy! We are very good at multi-tasking! Hope to see you there!
Pillow Case Dresses
Please have all pillow case dresses turned in by
January 1. Thank you.
All Saints Sunday we give Thanks for the Saints that have shared their light and passed since last All Saints Sunday.
Eugene Berg Judi Nelson
Shirley Bolmgren Dolores Obinger
Glen Erickson Jesse Quiner
Florence Hubbard Pastor Lynn Strand
Jean Lincoln Mavis Timerson
Alfred Meyer
News About Our Family
Prayers and sympathy for the family of Thomas Grimsrud who died Tuesday, November 5. A celebration of life memorial service is pending spring of 2020.
Prayers and sympathy for Rita Berg and family on the death of Rita’s husband Eugene Berg.
A memorial service was held Friday, November 1, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, in Hopkins, MN.
Russ Anthony Hospitalized
And all those recovering from illness or grief who need God’s touch of healing.
Let Pastor Heidi know if you need prayer or a visit.
Eleanor (Nora) Jean
Schmidt
Was born on Friday,
November 8, to Tom and Kate Schmidt. Nora was 6 lbs. 15oz., 21 in. long. Pround
grandparents are Jon & Jean Olson.
This is an Adult Mission Trip.
Tentative Schedule
Fri.— Travel
Sat.-Wed.— Zacapa Sat. Projects Sunday Worship, tour local area
Mon.-Wed. Projects
Thurs.-Fri. — Antigua Lutheran Center and mission options
Sat.—Travel
Information sessions Sunday, Dec.1 after Worship Tuesday, Jan 14, 11am/7pm
Guatemala Mission Trip
After Easter
A typical project day includes:
• Breakfast
• Project
• Lunch
• Project
• Local Connections
• Supper
• • Devotions
• • Free Time
Cost—$1300
(Includes all costs)
We are hoping for $700 per person after scholarships
If interested contact Ron Berry;
Or talk to Pastor Heidi
Pastor Heidi is attending, call her if you’d like to join
this event.
La Posada: “We Come Bearing Peace”
3A PROCESSION, A PRAYER, A CRY THROUGH THE STREETS OF OUR CITY.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 4:00 PM
We walk through the streets of our city, with Mary and Joseph for all who seek shelter. We will keep walking! We will keep opening the door! We will not let fear and divisiveness take over our hearts!
Join the Posada — the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter — in a bilingual, multi-sensory procession of prayer and solidarity. We will sing. We will travel one mile from Powderhorn Park to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. We will walk for those that journey with hope towards the U.S. border. We will walk for those separated from their families. We will share food and music together at the end.
Church
(Un) decorating
Party Saturday, Jan. 4th
4:30 - 7:00 pm PM
Adult Event Bring appetizer and beer/wine (optional)
to share …
October 17 2019 Council Meeting Summary
• There is ongoing discussion regarding how best to structure the Vista Lutheran Church Council in 2020 so as to carry out God’s vision for our church.
• A new logo for Vista Lutheran Church has been approved by the church council and will be unveiled on Sunday November 17.
• A celebration of Wooddale Lutheran’s 90 years of ministry will be held on the afternoon of Sunday November 30 at 4 pm, led by Judy Tyrer.
• An informational meeting with Common Bond representatives is planned for Sunday November 10, to present more details regarding the proposed use of the Highway 7 site for affordable housing.
• Council approved delegation of authority to Amy Johnson, Council president, and John Carlotto, Council treasurer, to carry financial transactions on behalf of Vista Lutheran Church.
Full meeting minutes and ministry updates are available by clicking on this link October 17 council minutes.
If you have not turned in your gift card for 2020 please do so as soon as possible to help us plan for the next
year. Cards are available at the table by the name tags
Thank you for supporting God’s ministry through Vista!
Annual Congregational Meeting January 26, 2020
Confirmation Classes -
7-8pm on Wednesdays
Mark your calendars!
11/27 No Class
12/4 Bell Ringing (leaving church by 5:45 pm)
12/11 Our Gifts
12/18 Parent Night
12/25 No Class
01/01
Vista Children’s Chorus with Vista Lutheran Choir
Accompanied by harp, clarinet, & violin.
December 15 Children’s Led
Christmas Worship, & Pot Luck
Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army On Wednesday, December 4, our youth will be ringing bells for the Salvation
Army from 6-8 pm at the Knollwood Cub Foods.
Stop by and give them your support.
Property
Many thanks to the clean up crew!
Scout Pack 3225 and Wooddale members.
Help Wanted Looking for someone to shovel the front, courtyard sidewalk, and public sidewalks on 40th street and Wooddale Avenue. This is a paid position. If interested
please contact the church office.
Monday - Friday 2:00 - 9:00 pm Weekends - anytime as needed.
660 lbs of produce was harvested
from Vista’s 4 Rain Gutter Gardens and delivered to STEP!
243 lb increase over 2018!!
Financial Updates
Financial Updates
Consolidation Update #7
1 - Thomas Griffiths 2 - John Hoisve 3 - Kris Jennings 4 - Arlene Holte
Kyle Caldwell 5 - Owen Goddard 6 - Sharon Hennemuth
Edward Mohrlant Lorraine Monson Matthew Pivec Olivia Lainsbury
7 - Timothy Barton Jacob Perszyk Andrew Hogg
8 - Adam Rauk 9 - Stella Rostal 10 Linda Erickson 11 - Ronald Berry
13 - Jack Abeln Grace Pelowitz Diane Bachman
16 - Taylor Smiley 17 - Wayne Westermann 18 - Lisa Hayes
Cory Nelson Grant Ross
20 - Ervin Cheney 21 - Hannah Lucas 23 - Madeline Olson 25 - Carol Skaug 28 - Justin Holt 31 - Lauren Von Eschen If your birthday was missed or listed incorrectly, please call the church office at 952-926-7603.
December Birthdays
Dece
mber,
2019
Congregational Council
Name Ministry email address
Amy Johnson Executive, President [email protected]
Debbie Olson Executive, Vice President [email protected]
John Carlotto Executive, Treasurer [email protected]
Gloria Niehans Executive, Secretary [email protected]
Cindy Ranwick Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Sarah Foster Music Director [email protected]
Jen Hazen Music Director [email protected]
Luke Foster Organist [email protected]
Noah Strom Organist [email protected]
Diane Andersen Praise Choir Director [email protected]
Robin Swanson Nursery Attendant [email protected]
Mark Ennenga Custodian [email protected]
4003 Wooddale Avenue. St. Louis Park, MN 55416 952-926-7603 www.vistalutheran.org
Pastor Heidi Zimdars [email protected]
(emergency contact 612-799-1232)
Lynn Bose
Pam Eggebraaten [email protected]
Carol Ennenga [email protected]
Sara Faust [email protected]
Christian Fritzberg [email protected]
Brandon Gallagher Watson [email protected]
John Glover [email protected]
Joan Hoffman [email protected]
Laurie Hollinger [email protected]
Peter Jarnberg [email protected]
Kristi Johnson [email protected]
Andrew Raether [email protected]
Carol Skaug [email protected]