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Lent: The Season of Intention

As we begin Lent together, we are nearing the one-year mark of our journey through this Covid-19 pandemic, and we are sobered by the realities that follow us into a season of prayerful intention. We lament the loss of life, the loss of touch, the loss of unmasked company. We grieve the months our church has not held the ease of laughter at coffee hour or the delight in the eyes of children playing handbells. We know this year has stretched us in ways for which we could never prepare.

And still, we gather in worship, we reach out with concern for one another’s wellbeing, we remain connected. We continue to be church in this unpredictable world, bold to proclaim that God is not finished with us yet. Yes, we are sobered by what we’ve experienced this past year, AND we ready our hearts for this season of reflection anyway: stronger for the challenges we’ve faced, more resolute in hope because we feel the depth of what’s been missing, fiercer in prayer to the One who holds our tomorrow.

This, my friends, is called faith. Hope in things not yet seen leads us forward, trusting the one who created us also envisions our restoration and wholeness. If you’re in need of spiritual renewal, I invite you to re-commit to worshiping online or in-person this Lent. Together, we’ll explore how YOU can co-create with Christ your redemption story. Now THAT’S what I call good news!

Worship & Events

Our Lenten Journey

Sun. Feb. 21: Lent 1 Breaking Free: How God Invites Us To Co-Create Our Redemption Story Hebrews 12: 1-7

Lenten Wednesday Evenings

Join Pastor Emily on Facebook Live at 7pm each week for a brief reflection of poetry and flute music.
Feb. 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17 & 24

If you’d like a daily calendar of Lenten Activities, enjoy this creative journey!

Community Connections

Gail Neumann & Cindy Bechard’s Family in Need

Gail Neumann and daughter Cindy Bechard have reached out to say their family home on the ranch, where Gail’s 2 year-old grandson lives, burned to the ground this week. Friends have set-up a Go-Fund-Me Campaign to help alleviate the financial burden for the family. Our prayers are with Stetson and mom Tabitha as they seek to re-build their home.

Your pastor is on the mend from my ER visit last weekend! Thank you so much to the worship team, especially Cherlyn and Del for stepping into the lead with liturgy, Larry, Gail, Gloria and Jack for creating a beautiful musical interlude, Chuck on A/V, and everyone who reached out with care, kindness, gifts, and prayers. Thanks also to Val Rowen for watching the kids so AJ could accompany me, and Elicia for being my pharmacist! One thing’s certain: when my luck runs out, my community rushes in to save the day! I praise God for such a thoughtful crew of folks that surrounds me.

Prayer Requests

Dorinda Daniel as she continues to heal from surgery. If you’d like to help with a meal during the first 2 weeks of March, let Christy in the office know!

The Bietz’ family as they mourn the loss of Mike’s mother, Dorothy. Prayers especially for Mike’s father, Dennis. View her obituary here

Gail Neumann & Cindy Bechard’s family as they deal with the loss of the family home.

Debby Wagner as she awaits her gall bladder removal on Monday!

Blair Krueger as he transitions to life at Glory House in Sioux Falls

All who struggle with ongoing dis-ease and illness.

 Get Involved in Ministry

Souper Bowl of Caring: $2,500 is the Goal

Our local food pantry, housed in PARS, is a tremendous community resource that we support each year. We set a monetary-only goal of $2,500 by the first part of March. So far, you have raised $1,927 WELL DONE!

Help us reach it with your financial donations, simply designate your giving to Souper Bowl of Caring, and enjoy another photo from years past.

February Celebrations

Upcoming Birthdays

Natalie Mohr 19
Emersen Bietz 20
Denice Moore 20
Day Breitag 21
Landon Starks 21
Britt Palmer 22
Cash Anderson 23
Maddox Cadwell 25
Julie Niles 26
Valerie Kelly 28

Supporting Our Mission

Financial Report: Feb. 14, 2021

Weekly offering $ 3,660.00
Initial offering $5.00
TOTAL GENERAL GIVING $3,665.00
Weekly receipts needed to meet budget: $3,097.93

Love fund $100.00
Souper Bowl of Caring $960.00
TOTAL SPECIAL GIVING: $1,060.00

General fund receipts Year-to-Date $23,443.00
General fund expenses paid Year-to-Date $21,903.86
Budgeted Expenses Year-to-Date $23,778.49