Christus Victor Lutheran Church

Newsletter September 2010 (2)

How many committees are there at CV?  Who is working behind the scenes to make all of the ministries and programs happen, and keep the staff and the property going?  How can you get involved?

These are some of the questions we will address this summer with CV Committee Temple Talks.  Throughout the summer, the many committees of the church will give a short Temple Talk during worship about what they do, why they do ministry, and how people can get involved.   There will be hand-outs, maybe some treats, and a time to ask questions and get to know about who and how the ministries of the church happen.

Interested in some fun and fellowship with a little Bible Study sprinkled on top?  Want to load up on digging into the Scriptures with a side order of fellowship?  Or would you like half with Bible Study and half with fellowship?  Maybe you’re more interested in serving somewhere different each month and then talking about the experience over a beverage afterward?  Maybe you just want to get together with some other Christians for a fun gathering every month?

No matter what kind of group you’re interested in, whether you’re already in a group, or would like to join or start a new one, you are invited to join us for the “Mix and Match” Adult Small Group Fall Kick-Off Potluck on Thursday, September 23 at 6:30pm.  Bring a dish to share!  Bring along your small group or just come to check it out and maybe join a small group! 

 Mark Throntveit, Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary will be our guest speaker, presenting on Genesis 1!  Prof. Throntveit is a dynamic and fun teacher: 

When he’s not teaching or writing, Dr. Throntveit enjoys playing classical guitar, electronics, bicycling, playing basketball, and baking bread. “I also watch a lot of television,” he confides. “In a lecture or a sermon, you need to communicate with people, and most people today know more about Seinfeld than they do about Shakespeare.”

(From his biography at www.luthersem.edu/faculty).

“Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’  He said to him, ‘What is written in the law?  What do you read there?’  He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’  And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’” – Luke 10: 25-28

Dear Friends in Christ,

            It’s all about relationships; relationships with God and relationships with our neighbors.  Relationships that are grounded in love, love of God, and love of our neighbors.  1 John 4: 10-11 puts it this way, “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sing.  Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” 

            When we have a relationship with God, grounded in love and growing in love, we have life.  When we have a relationship with our neighbors, flowing from our love of God, we have life.  Notice that the lawyer was concerned about life after death (eternal life), but Jesus says that eternal life begins now with a loving relationship with God that shapes our relationships with our neighbors.  “You have given the right answer,” Jesus replied, “do this, and you will live.”

             Church Camp at WAPO was all about our kids building their relationship with God and with other campers and counselors (aka “neighbors”).  VBS, the Church Garage Sale, the Youth Mission Trip, and the Mission Trip to Tanzania are all about building relationships with God and neighbor, even when those neighbors live far away, or in the case of the Garage Sale come from far away. 

            As you are reflecting on your summer, so quickly flying by, and pondering the fall, I want you to make a commitment this fall to growing in your relationship with God and with your neighbor.  You may commit to more regular worship attendance on Sunday morning and the new Wednesday evening RECHARGE.  You may choose to join a small group this fall, for fellowship, Bible study, or mix and match your own.  Check out the Sunday morning forums.  Perhaps service is your thing, so you may want to join a committee or ministry serving the church and our community.  The main thing is to get connected and focus on growing your relationship with God and your neighbors.

            Love God and love your neighbor, do this and you will have life and have it abundantly!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Kent Claussen Gubrud

What’s the buzz on this year’s concession stand at the CV “Honey of a Sale” garage sale?  The concession stand will now offer NACHOS!  Social Ministries is trying something new.  Come check it out, along with all the traditional favorites August 13 & 14 – we BEE-lieve you’ll love it.  But, we need your help!  Please check out the list at the Information Desk of donations we need to make this year’s concession stand successful.  Social Ministries is so grateful each year for your donations.  We want to remind everyone that  100% of the funds raised with the concession stand  support our Thanksgiving Baskets project which provides a full Thanksgiving dinner to those in need throughout Dakota County.

Dear members of Christus Victor, I want to thank you for the wonderful reception you gave Spirit Bound when we arrived home in June. We had an incredible last year. I think we all have many memories and saw and experienced many signs of God’s wonderful love. The homecoming at CV was no exception to that. Thank you all for doing so much to make that special for all of us!

On a personal note, I appreciated all the cards and gifts that were given to me at the end of the concert. I read all the cards that evening. Thank you for your kind words. Every time I use one of those gift cards or certificates I will think of all the support we had during our 24 years of ministry. I have always thought of SB as a gift that I was so lucky to be able to be a part of. So many people worked hard to make it happen. I could never begin to thank the folks that stepped up and filled in leadership roles after Debi Archer and Bil Sutlief left. Val, Mike, Sally, Pam, Sharilyn, Jody, Doug, Brian, Trudy, Sue, Lorna, Alex, the list goes on and on. People just took on responsibility and followed through with it, and they made time and “gave” to give back to God. How amazing. It’s supposed to work that way.

As for the song, “For Good” I will never forget that as long as I live, and I’ll probably still be talking about it up in heaven. There was no gift more wonderful than that! It is imprinted in my heart, so very special to me. I still cry when I think about it. It goes back the same to all of you…..

Ministry marches on, and so does music. We need WAY more people in choirs. Senior Choir is going to be looking at some big plans coming up in a few years. A few of the other groups are going to “morph” this year into something a little different – schedule changes, rehearsal times, style, etc. Plus there’s still that need to fill the Spirit Bound void in some other way. We’re talking about some things to try. I know I’m excited! Keep checking newsletters and August bulletins to keep on top of what’s going on. I think it’s time to “rock” CV in another way. If it’s something you can do, you may not want to miss out.

Thank you again, and God’s blessings,

Anne

Growing Faith, Living Faith, Celebrating Faith

Wednesday Night Worship starting in September

Starting in September, we will be including a Wednesday night worship experience to close JIFY and Confirmation, to help busy families grow in faith together. 

Parents, come in from the parking lot and join your kids and other families at 7:22pm for the MID-WEEK RECHARGE you won’t want to miss!  Everyone is invited to come and get a recharge for your faith.

The RECHARGE will have up-beat, active songs, and kids of all ages participating in worship by: reading lessons, leading the prayers, and sharing their musical and dramatic talents.  Each week will have a life-giving message in the form of drama, video clips or stories.

WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE FOLLOWING TEAMS:

-          Musicians and Music Leaders

-          Tech Team – Sound and Screen

-          Worship Assistant Coordinators

If you are interested in helping with any of these Recharge Teams, please contact Pastor Kent at (952) 454-6927 or pastor.kent@christusvictor.org.

5:30pm – Youth Choir – Middle School and High School

6:00pm – 7:52pm – JIFY, Confirmation, Parent/Adult Group, and RECHARGE WORSHIP