Heraldcreation and implementation of VBS 2015. A huge thank you to Mandi Mora and Jolene Olson who...

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A publication of Hosanna Lutheran Church, ELCA Rochester, Minnesota Herald INSIDE THIS ISSUE ELCA Youth Gathering Vacation Bible School Sunday School Outreach Ministries Music Ministries Worship Schedule Council Page President’s Message Pastor Meiers’ Page 2-3 4-5 5 5-7 7-8 8 9 10 11 “As a Christian family of faith, we’re gathered to grow and sent to serve” Volume 36 Issue 8 August 2015 Sunday September 13 9am Worship 10am-11:30am Service Projects 11:30am Lunch 12:15pm Adopt-A-Highway Visit Homestead & High Pointe More details on pages 5&6

Transcript of Heraldcreation and implementation of VBS 2015. A huge thank you to Mandi Mora and Jolene Olson who...

Page 1: Heraldcreation and implementation of VBS 2015. A huge thank you to Mandi Mora and Jolene Olson who served as co-coordinators for this year. Additional volunteers included: Decorations:

A publication of

Hosanna Lutheran Church, ELCA

Rochester, Minnesota

Herald

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ELCA Youth Gathering

Vacation Bible School

Sunday School

Outreach Ministries

Music Ministries

Worship Schedule

Council Page

President’s Message

Pastor Meiers’ Page

2-3

4-5

5

5-7

7-8

8

9

10

11

“As a Christian

family of faith,

we’re gathered

to grow

and sent

to serve”

Volume 36 Issue 8 August 2015

Sunday September 13

9am Worship 10am-11:30am Service Projects 11:30am Lunch 12:15pm Adopt-A-Highway Visit Homestead & High Pointe

More details on pages 5&6

Page 2: Heraldcreation and implementation of VBS 2015. A huge thank you to Mandi Mora and Jolene Olson who served as co-coordinators for this year. Additional volunteers included: Decorations:

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” 2015 Youth Gathering in Detroit

As our bus drives into Detroit, the kids all lean and look out the windows, you can hear the gasping, the “look at that” and the “oh, no’s”. They are looking at boarded up houses, graffiti all over walls and buildings and abandoned churches and schools. All of a sudden the bus is quiet and you can see the look on a teenager’s face that shows their concern.

We unload at our hotel and say goodbye to our friends from Zumbro and Good Shepherd. Our adventure begins as we join 30,000 Lutherans to help Detroit. We spend the first day walking around downtown, riding the “people mover” and discovering Comerica Park, home of the Tigers Baseball Team. We find Ford Field, where we will spend every evening listening to speakers, poems, singing and dancing. The people on the streets

were so nice and loved to tell tidbits about their city. Many people came up to us and thanked us for being here! PROCLAIM STORYTIME We spent one afternoon with all the congregations of SE MN to learn about God’s story and our story. We were encouraged to sit with new people, hear new stories and examine how we are part of the story. Bishop Delzer, from our synod, preached to us.

PROCLAIM JUSTICE Our service project was to travel to Hope Village, a 100 block area in Detroit where residents living there are trying to rebuild and make a safe area for their families. The city of Detroit does not have any money to help clean up abandoned houses and areas. We picked up trash, pulled weeds, cut down small trees and shrubs and cleaned up an entire yard of an abandoned house. We were amazed to see the difference one afternoon and about 1,000 people can make. The Hope Village initiative is a long term,

comprehensive place based initiative to radically change the odds of success for children, their families and the neighborhoods surrounding the HOPE’s campus.

PROCLAIM COMMUNITY This was a day devoted to being able to be engaged and immersed in the life and breath of the church, the community of God. It was held in Cobo Center, an area about 5 football fields in size, that gave youth the opportunity to learn about services, programs and the good news of Jesus. Youth were able to do this through a variety of mediums, such as art, music, technology, sports, fellowship, fun and reflection.

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Alexa and Danielle did the walk for water activity and carried a 40 pound jug of water through a flood, desert and even over a bridge for about 15 minutes. Maddy, Hannah, Danielle, Alexa and Dawn made fleece hats for underprivileged kids of Detroit that will be handed out at Christmastime. (We even brought home the pattern and instructions- can you say future service project idea?) Julie, Alexa, Lauren, Kia, Ethan and Andrew packed bags for the Human Trafficking project. We even painted boards to hang up over broken windows in Detroit.

Each night we all came together to share our highs and lows, reflect on the lessons of the

day and pray together. The teenagers of Hosanna have amazing insights and beliefs. We are one lucky congregation! I think each teenager and chaperone came away with different experiences that will impact how they look at their life and the lives of others. Going to Detroit, we were able to explore a new area, get a sense of history and provide service to help out our brothers and sisters.

Hannah Reinschmidt, Julie Wall, Lauren Rupprecht, Kia Schepp, Andrew Gangelhoff, Maddy Stevens, Danielle Koster, Andrew Neshem, Ethan Kub, Aaron Neshem, Jared Larsen, David Will, Alexa Ashworth, Dawn Koster and Dave Neshem.

Thanks to all of Hosanna's members (and groups) that supported the youth, through prayer and monetary donations, that attended the ELCA National Youth Gathering in July. Through the donations of many individuals and congregations nationwide approximately 1 million diapers were donated. These donations will impact over 40,000 households in the Detroit area. Monetary donations will be used for various identified needs within the Detroit area. Thank you!

Youth Gathering Reflection By: Hannah Reinschmidt

As an individual who has come from a line of Lutheran pastors, I have some prior knowledge of the

Bible and Christian teachings. So when my mom told me I was going on the trip to Detroit, I was a

bit reluctant. I felt like I would be bored and I honestly didn’t want to go to Detroit because of its bad

reputation. What I didn’t realize, due to my prejudicial naiveté, was that the people of Detroit are so

congenial and kind and they really enjoyed us being there. During worship, the ubiquity of Christ was

so apparent that it was almost unreal, but I could see Jesus in everyone at Ford Field. I distinctly

remember feeling Christ’s presence when Maddy and I went into one of the prayer rooms at Cobo

Center. As I sat on the floor, surrounded by candlelight, a sense of accord and serenity overcame

me. It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced in my life. I could definitely feel God’s

presence. All in all, the ELCA Youth Gathering was very inspirational and edifying. I came into the

whole event hesitant and unsure of what to expect, but I departed feeling a stronger connection to

Jesus Christ as well as to my faith and I hope that everyone else who went on the trip became

closer to God as well.

High School Youth Camp Fire Sunday, August 30th. Come and enjoy some food & fellowship before the school year begins. Look for more information closer to the date, but mark your calendar!

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Vacation Bible School This year’s Vacation Bible School theme was Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power. Each day children had the opportunity to learn through bible stories, music, games, science projects, snacks and videos on how God’s power impacts each one of us. The daily focus was: God has the power to…. Each day we then completed this

sentence with a different phrase. Specifically we learned that God has the power to provide, comfort, heal, forgive and love us forever. Lizzie Chadwick shared one of her ideas on how God has the power to comfort in this drawing. The entire Chadwick family shared that “God provides us with love, laughter and a great family to spend the day with”. How many ways do you see God providing for you, and for others through you, each day?

Family Reflects on Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School was such a memorable week for all of us! Norah asked at lunch the other day, "Our God can heal and provide and comfort... wow... what else can our God do?" Abby said after listening to the VBS cd, "The people singing really trust God!" We've had many more questions about God since VBS. They want to know how he made things and where God is. It is fun to share and learn together. When asked, "Who heals your hurts?" their automatic response was, "God heals." Kari Larsen.

Thank you VBS Volunteers Thank you to all of the Vacation Bible School volunteers who helped with the planning, creation and implementation of VBS 2015. A huge thank you to Mandi Mora and Jolene Olson who served as co-coordinators for this year. Additional volunteers included:

Decorations: Bridget Carter, Jana Chadwick, Darcie Moehnke, Amy Johnson, Jolene and Ashley Olson, Tony, Mandi, Katelyn, Alexandra & Tyler Mora, Darcy and Kylee Youngstrom.

Take down/transport/set up of decorations: Andre and Alice Kub, Eric Wall, Darcie Moehnke, Jolene Olson, Lou, Louis, and Christian Hermansen, Dale Gangelhoff, Nancy Wales, Joe, Darcy and Kylee Youngstrom. (A special thank you to Ashley Olson for being a kiddie wrangler during this time).

Take down/clean up crew: Chris Johnson, Eric and Dave Wall, Chris & Bridget Carter, Doug Chadwick and Tony Mora.

Middle school/Adult guides: Kari Larsen, Jenna Armentrout, Ashley Olson, Nora Will, Lily Wildfeuer, Kylee Youngstrom, Katrina Moe and Kelby Heitman.

Station leaders: Nancy Wales, Jessie Senst, Cassandra Marshall, Jodi Holland, Grace Rucker, Chris Carter, Katrina Davis, Angie Mora, Doug Chadwick, Darcy Youngstrom, and special guest appearance Paul Anderson.

A few of the adult/youth volunteers for VBS 2015.

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Winter Is Coming - Mittens and More It is August, but yes, winter is coming. Last year we donated dozens of caps, mittens, scarves and jackets to those who needed protection from our bitter winter weather. Beginning in late September or early October, we are going to begin sharing the warmth with our neighbors. Please collect new and clean, gently used caps, mittens, gloves, scarves, boots and jackets for our Mittens and More sharing box. Please consider donating to this wonderful mission. Thank you and God bless!!!

God’s work. Our hands. T-Shirts

Order by August 2

T-Shirts are again available to order God’s Work Our Hands Sunday, September 13. If you didn’t get a chance to order one last year, now’s your chance. The cost is $6.50 and the sizes

are listed on the sign up sheet at the Welcome Center. Make checks payable to Hosanna.

Community Garden—Volunteers are Needed

Hosanna’s community garden is growing and it needs tending and harvesting. If you enjoy vegetable gardening, join the team. You may contact Barb Anderson at [email protected] or call Nancy Wales in the office at 507-285-0092. New volunteers are always welcome.

God’s work. Our hands. Sunday is Coming!

September 13—-Save the Date!

Last year’s first God’s Work Our Hands event was a big success! Most Hosanna families participated in some way in our ELCA national day of service. This year we’ve made some changes to give even more individuals and families the opportunity to participate. Here’s what’s going to happen.

There will be one worship service at 9:00 am Coffee fellowship will be shared in the

Memorial Garden—tours will be given 7 different service projects for members to

choose from will be available (inside and outside the church/active and sit down jobs)

Lunch will be served to celebrate all the volunteers

Miscellaneous helpers during the week: Jana Chadwick, Darcie Moehnke, Daniel Wildfeuer (skit performer) and the many adults/families that contributed to the daily snacks. Finally, thank you to the parents and friends for bringing 40 children to attend our VBS this year. Twenty five Hosanna children participated with an additional 15 friends/relatives. Sunday School Classes The Sunday School year is coming up quickly! This year we will begin with our participation in the God's work Our hands Sunday on Sunday, Sept. 13th. On this Sunday, we ask all families to join in worship at 9:00 a.m. and then participate (as a family) in one of the many service areas that will be offered. (Come dressed in working clothes!)

Sunday School Teachers Needed Sunday school sessions, offered during the education hour, will resume on Sunday, Sept. 20th. Registration forms will be available in early August. In order to have another wonderful year, with the Hosanna children, we are looking for more volunteers to teach several of our classes. If you are interested in teaching, please contact Bridget Carter. Teacher orientation (to include substitute participation) will be offered on Monday, August 31st or Thursday, September 10th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Sunday School Supplies Soon families with school aged children will be back in the stores purchasing those basic school supplies for the 2015-2016 school year. To that end, there are a few standard items that the Sunday school team could use for the 2015-2016 school year. If you are willing to donate any of these items, just drop them in the main office. Thank you! Construction Paper (brightly colored or traditional) Glue Sticks (smaller sizes - ie. .21 oz) Sharpie Permanent Markers (Neon, Black or standard colors)

Expo Dry Erase Markers Crayola Fine Point Washable Markers Retractable Ball Point Pens God’s work. Our hands.

Service Projects continued on next page...

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Service Projects Include

Making Tied Fleece Caps for Mittens and More Box

(fleece donations are requested)

Assembling “6 Can Soup” and Decorating Bags for Channel One Families

Harvesting Hosanna’s Community Garden for Channel One

Homestead and High Pointe (5 gallon pails and

garden equipment needed)

Assembling Cookie Plates for Homestead and High Pointe

(cookie donations are requested)

Collecting School Supplies for Gage School (donations of pencils and Kleenex are requested)

Sharing Produce and Cookies with

Residents of Homestead and High Pointe (visits will happen after lunch)

(after lunch volunteers will join in cleaning up Hosanna’s area of Hwy 52 south of Apache

Mall)

Watch for donation tubs and signup sheets coming soon!

Prayer Shawls, August 28 During the summer, Prayer Shawls meets just once a month on the fourth Friday at 1:00 pm. If you like to knit or crotchet or would like to learn, you may join this caring ministry at any time. Contact Carolyn Dahl at [email protected] with questions. Members may also stop by the office to pick up a prayer shawl for a family member or friend in need of prayer and comfort.

Exciting opportunities in Susan Suppers! The Susan Suppers ministry is designed to comfort those in need with a warm meal. We make hotdishes and freeze them, and then they can be distributed to those in our congregation who are hurting. In addition, some of the meals are given to community members in need.

This ministry is a valuable part of our congregational support, and our outreach ministry. Starting in September, we are changing the way that we make the meals. In order to encourage more congregation members to participate, simplify the ministry, and address a need for changing the leadership, we invite YOU to cook hotdishes. Yes, YOU! We have a signup sheet in the Welcome Center for one cooking session per month, and invite you to sign up for one or more sessions.

Sign up with your family! Your church fellowship group! Or lead your friends in the congregation in preparing the meals! The cooking sessions are meant to be a fun time to enjoy fellowship and serving our congregation.

We have the recipes, shopping lists, and printed inserts all ready for you. You can choose the date and time, and the Hosanna kitchen is yours to use.

As always, ALL members of the congregation are invited to bring meals to those who need them. Simply take a meal from the freezer, and sign it

out in the binder so we know that the recipient has received one.

Any questions? Contact Gina Razidlo ([email protected], 292-0685).

All are invited to attend the

Second Annual

Bishop’s 5 K

September 26 9:00 am

Soldier’s Field, Rochester

Online registration and information at:

www.semnsynod.org/bishops5k

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Hosanna’s Pantry, August 21 & 22

There’s something for all ages to do at Hosanna’s Pantry. You can help with the pantry set up on Friday morning, August 21 at 10:00 am, or with greeting families, helping them shop, carrying out groceries or cleaning up on Saturday, August 22 from 9:00—11:30 am. There’s a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center or you may contact Barb Anderson, ([email protected]) with questions. New volunteers are always welcome!

Music Ministries

Hosanna’s Band - Exodus If you have two years of experience playing an instrument and enjoy exuberant songs with the rhythm and chord sounds of jazz and pop songs then Exodus is the group for you. This pop/jazz band for grade 7—adults will rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm starting in September. Look for future information for the exact date. Contact director, Scott Strand (507-358

-4297), if you intend to participate or if you have questions. Get your instruments out and start getting your fingers and lips into shape!

Choir for High School – Adults

The 4-part mixed choir for grades 9—adults will begin rehearsals in September on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. Singers of all skill levels are welcome. Even if you have never sung in a choir you are encouraged to come and learn from those who have experience. As a part of this choir, you will share inspirational anthems and lead congregational songs. Contact the director, Nancy Wales (507-285-0092) if you have questions.

Hosanna Handbells Beginning in September, Hosanna’s two handbell choirs will begin practicing for a new year. Ringers are needed! Please consider being a part of this unique experience. Praise! King’s Ringers Join us for our first meeting on Wed September 2, 5:45p for a bell polishing/dessert/get acquainted evening.

Hosanna’s Pantry Picnic, August 22 at 4:30 pm

Come and celebrate 2 years of helping families in Olmsted County meet their food needs through our Hosanna’s Pantry Channel One satellite. We’re now serving over 60 families a month! All individuals and families who have volunteered at the pantry are invited for a potluck picnic at Essex Park shelter on Saturday, August 22 from 4:30—6:00 pm. Bring meat to grill and a dish to share. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Contact Barb Anderson, ([email protected]) with questions.

Sharing and Caring Pantry Pastor’s Discretionary Fund

Both our small Sharing and Caring Food Pantry and our Pastor’s Discretionary Fund are ways that Hosanna helps families in the community that are struggling to make ends meet. Through your loose change donations on Sundays or checks written to the discretionary fund, Pastor Meiers is able to help families with a gas card. When the small food pantry is full of food, a family in need who comes to Hosanna can go back home with a bag or two of groceries. Please consider a donation to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund or bring an extra bag of groceries to Hosanna when you’re out shopping. Your ongoing generosity has helped hundreds of families for almost 10 years. Thank you!

Quilters, August 20 Hosanna’s quilters meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 9:00 am—2:00 pm. Coffee and treats are served in the morning and everyone brings their own lunch. You don’t have to be an experienced quilter to participate. Quilts are pieced and sewn and tied together. They are given to families in need locally or around the world through Lutheran World Relief. Please contact either

Life Line Screening

A preventive health screening opportunity will be held at Hosanna Lutheran Church between

the hours of 8:30-6pm on August 13, 2015.

Pre-registration is required, please refer to the pink insert or call 888-653-6450 for more

information/questions.

New! Annual Wellness visits available for eligible Beneficiaries under Medicare.

Please see the Welcome center or call 866-579-5069 for information/questions.

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Pictures of Creation

To emphasize this summer's theme of Celebrating God's Creation, the Worship Team is showing pictures on the screen before and after the worship service. In August the sub-theme is “Thanks for God’s Creation”. These are the topics for the pictures:

August 9 "Nature Scenes and Four Seasons" August 16 “Harvest and Produce” August 23 “Animals, Bird, Insects” August 30 “People/Families” If you have pictures you are willing to share, e m a i l t h e m t o N a n c y W a l e s ([email protected]) or bring them to the main office. We have been using Hosanna photos. In addition we thank Mark Ingebretson, Niel Wiegand, Connie Ness and Marissa and Nancy Wales for the photos they have submitted.

August Worship Schedule

Sundays at 9:00am Wednesdays at 6:30 pm

Giving Thanks for God’s Creation

July 29 & August 2 Liturgy: Outdoor Worship on Sunday with Communion Theme: Giving Thanks for God’s Creation Text: Colossians 1:15-20

August 5 & 9 Liturgy: Service of Word & Song/Grace Team Theme: The Four Seasons Text: Mark 13:26-28

August 12 &16 Liturgy: ELW Setting 8 with Communion Theme: God Provides Abundant Harvest Text: Genesis 1:11-13

August 19 & 23 Liturgy: ELW Service of the Word Theme: God Created Living Creatures Text: Genesis 1:20-25

August 26 & 30 Liturgy: ELW Service of the Word/Healing

Theme: God Created Human Beings Text: Genesis 1:26-31a

Free Voice Lesson - Individual or Group

Too many people (young and old) have not had

the opportunity to discover how to develop their

singing voice. Some have even been told “You

can’t sing” which certainly prevents someone

from wanting to explore what they can do. During

the summer, I am willing to give a single 30-

minute voice lesson to any member of Hosanna,

ages 5-100. The main goal is to increase

confidence in singing, explore a person’s present

vocal range, and go over basic vocal technique.

Each lesson is adapted to the needs of the

individual person. Individuals or a small

group of 2-3 people may sign up for one of

the lessons by contacting Nancy Wales ([email protected] or 285-0092).

Specific lesson times will be arranged on an

individual basis.

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Summer Worship at Hosanna

Two opportunities for worship will be offered this

summer. Sunday worship will be celebrated at

9:00 am with the Wednesday service at 6:30 pm.

We will gather under the theme: “Celebrating

God’s Creation.” Each summer month will also

focus on a particular aspect of God’s creation.

August “Giving Thanks for God’s Creation”

Come and celebrate God’s amazing and complex

gift to us.

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TREASURER & FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT Budget/Contributions Comparison

Receipts/Expenditures Comparison

Account Balances - June

2015 Capital Appeal

General

2015 Jun YTD

Budget 36.044 216.264

Contributions 28.870 211.430

Difference (7,174) (4,834)

2014 30,909 204,676

Difference 14/15 (2,039) 6,754

Capital Appeal 10,472 64,159

General YTD

Capital Appeal

Receipts 211,500 64,159

Expenditures 204,882 0

Difference 6,618 64,159

Account Name Balance

General 18,261

General Reserve 50,145

Special Gifts 34,999

Endowment 59,578

ELCA Scholarship 50,000

Mortgage 379,985

Pledges Receipts

69/126,299 64,159

Hosanna Council Summary July 14,2015

The 430th meeting of the congregation council was called to order by President Jim Hansen at 7:06 pm. Jim Hansen, Barb Anderson, Fred Lust, Lou Hermansen, Ray Ashworth, Ron Machacek, Pastor Meiers and Natalie Sand, were in attendance. Also present were Alice Kub, Paul Anderson, Nancy Wales, and Darcy Youngstrom.

Pastor Meiers led devotions and Highs and Lows were shared. Natalie moved (Ray second) to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Passed. Ron moved (Fred second) to accept Pastor Meiers report. Passed.

The reports of the advocates were accepted. Hosanna’s Pantry numbers continue to grow. Huge thanks go out to our four coordinators for Susan’s Suppers. Volunteers are needed to help keep this wonderful hot dish ministry going. VBS had 40 kids and was a lot of fun. Stephen Ministry will be doing a class this fall. Summer worship has been well attended and fellowship after the service has been very enjoyable and unifying.

Garden Shed has been re-shingled. God’s work our hands Sunday, Sunday school activities, or a workday in the fall, were discussed as potential options to reinvigorate the Memorial Garden Team. Budgetary inclusion will also be discussed this fall. Alice Kub, our Treasurer, reports that giving and expenses are trending as expected. Natalie moved (Ron second) to approve the financial reports. Passed.

Capital Appeal Committee Update. As of July 12, 2015 Capital Appeal progress 69 giving unit Donations/Pledges: $126,300 Total Funds Received: $64,685 Barb moved (Ron second) to approve construction expenses on the Cross Tower Project with a firm expense ceiling of $90,000. Passed Unanimously. Fred moves, (Ray Second) that the council hereby directs the Cross Tower Construction committee to return at the earliest possible date firm, all-inclusive bids, and a construction schedule. Passed.

Natalie moved (Fred second) to adjourn the

meeting. The meeting was adjourned with the

Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Lou Hermansen

Council Secretary

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Greetings all,

We are well into summer. Camps - the ELCA Youth Gathering – Vacations, with all that is going on, our attendance in the summer drops a little. As you know, the worship team changed our services to one at 6:30PM Wednesday and one at 9:00 AM Sunday for the summer. The Wednesday services were added to give church members that would not be available on Sunday a chance to worship during the week. This

service usually has around 15 attendees and, with a small group, provides a more intimate worship experience. If you haven’t attended a Wednesday service, I would encourage you to try one before the summer is out.

The other change is one service on Sunday. With this, the church is definitely fuller at that Sunday service. It is nice to bring both Sunday services together and see everyone. I’ve learned that I am not the only person that typically sits in a certain spot for church (back right a few rows up). Lucky for me, I’m more of an 8:00 AM service person, so I usually get to my spot before the 10:00 AM service person arrives. The other benefit of the combined Sunday service is that both groups can socialize after church together.

On the Council front, we continue to move forward with the capital appeal as pledges continue to come in. Preliminary work continues with the cross, which is the first of the three priorities tied to the appeal. I would like to thank all the people involved with this, as it involves a lot of time, work and decisions. I hope all will take the time to celebrate God’s creation this summer. God Bless, Jim

LIFT HIGH THE CROSS

During the week of July 20th, 2015 we had some excitement outside Hosanna. The pictures are of the equipment workers use to drill into soil and allow samples to be taken where the Cross will be constructed. The crew took samples up to thirty feet deep.

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Dear Members and Friends of Hosanna, We continue our summer celebration of God’s creation in our worship together. During this month of August, we will show gratitude for all God has created will give focus to the month’s worship services. In our state of Minnesota the month of August brings warm days and a world in full bloom. Much of the Bible seems to rejoice in God’s

beautiful handiwork. Certainly Jesus included in his preaching and meditations such things as mustard seeds, ravens and lilies of the field. God declared the creation “very good,” and often used its beauty and remarkable design to point to God’s presence. When Job came to God with the ultimate questions of life, God’s response was to describe the grandeur of creation- the constellations, the rain and thunder, the ostriches and mountains goats. Who created these, God asked? And could Job do the same? (Job 38-41) An honest look at the gorgeous, intricate design of this world gives one pause and cause for thanksgiving. As filled as the scriptures are with meditations on God’s handiwork, we are provided by our faith about how we relate to the natural world. What attitude does God want us to have, that neither idolized the creation, nor neglects God’s calling to care for it? We are God’s caretakers here on earth. God wants all to be caring stewards of that which comes from God, enjoy that which we are given and live in gratitude for God’s many gifts. Human knowledge had barely begun to understand the beautiful intricacy of every atom, cell, tree, plant and galaxy. If God in God’s infinite knowledge called this design to the world “very good,” it reveals God’s magnificence in ways beyond full human imagination. It shouldn’t surprise us to hear that when God created the universe, “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.” (Job 38:7) Instilling ourselves a reverence for God’s work will make us feel like the world is saturated with God’s presence, and that we are under God’s constant care. The Lord directed us to love God with all of our hearts, minds and souls, and being mindful of our creator’s glory in all that is around us will take us a long way toward that goal. We join together in our worship this month to return thanks to God for this awesome world in which we live. Yours in Christ, Pastor Bill Meiers

Page 12: Heraldcreation and implementation of VBS 2015. A huge thank you to Mandi Mora and Jolene Olson who served as co-coordinators for this year. Additional volunteers included: Decorations:

God’s work. Our hands.

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U. S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 603

ROCHESTER MN

Hosanna Herald

Writers: Hosanna Staff

& members

Editor: Liz Coltom

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OFFICE HOURS

9:00 am—4:00 pm

Monday—Friday

STAFF

Pastor Bill Meiers [email protected]

Nancy Wales [email protected]

Darcy Youngstrom [email protected]

Liz Coltom [email protected]

Charlie Bohlke [email protected]

COUNCIL OFFICERS

Jim Hansen, President [email protected]

Ray Ashworth, Pres. Elect [email protected]

Lou Hermansen, Secretary [email protected]

COUNCIL ADVISORS

Alice Kub, Treasurer [email protected]

Paul Anderson, Financial Sec. [email protected]

COUNCIL ADVOCATES

Natalie Sand, Discipleship [email protected]

Ron Machacek, Fellowship [email protected]

Barb Anderson, Outreach [email protected]

Les Fullem, Support [email protected]

Fred Lust, Worship [email protected]

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Hosanna Lutheran Church

2815 57th St. NW

Rochester, MN 55901

(507) 285-0092

Gathered to Grow, Sent to Serve

Check out Hosanna’s Website!

www.hosannalutheran.org

SUNDAY WORSHIPSUNDAY WORSHIPSUNDAY WORSHIP———9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM

WEDNESDAY WORSHIPWEDNESDAY WORSHIPWEDNESDAY WORSHIP———6:30 PM6:30 PM6:30 PM