S U N DAY,
This Week at First
S U N DAY,
NEXT?
Sunday, November 13 8:45a HISKids Pathfinders (Nursery) 9:00a Commitment Sunday Service 9:00a Growth Group 9:00a HISKids (Sunday School) 10:15a Growth Group 10:30a Commitment Sunday Service (Celebration of Confirmation) 10:30a Ethiopian Church Prayer Time 10:30a HISKids (Sunday School) 11:30a Ethiopian Church 11:45a Next Step Lunch 12:00p Holy Land Trip Meet & Greet
Monday, November 14 9:00a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:00a Old Guys’ Bible Study 9:30a Quilters 12:30p Knitters Group 1:30p Grandmas in Prayer 6:00p Men’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) 6:30p Cub Scout Pack 9112 Meeting 7:00p Boy Scout Troop 112 Meeting
Wednesday, November 16 9:30a Lydia Fellowship 10:00a Women’s A.A. Meeting 4:00p Senior Adult Bible Study 5:30p Kids’ Bells
13,
Growth Groups
One of the two main goals of growth groups is to help people learn to follow Jesus in everyday life through regular accountability, support, Bible reading and prayer. Almost 250 people are growing as disciples of Jesus in circles this fall.
Maybe you missed the connection event? It’s never too late to take a step into a group! The next connection event is Sunday, January 29 at 11:45 am. Give us one hour and we’ll help you get settled into a 10-week starter growth group.
Service
opportunity for volunteer involvement needing six to ten volunteers every night. Volunteer info and sign-ups will be available soon.
Diaper Drive, November 19-23, 12-6 p.m. • Help support local shelters and families in need by dropping off donations of money or diapers. Our goal is to collect 80,000 diapers! Brand new this year, people will be able to purchase a case of diapers at the Information Desk. Also, volunteer teams will be needed to help receive donations and the sign up is available on-line or in the Commons. Project Home • December 1-January 2 • We’re a little more than one month from the start of hosting homeless families through Project Home. This is a big
Fare For All • Friday, November 20, 2-4 p.m. • This program provides deeply discounted groceries and, in addition, special HOLIDAY PACKS for only $30! Please contact Perry if you’re interested in volunteering. Sunday Morning Serving Opportunities • Join the ushering team! Serve with your spouse, family, or friend(s) on a Sunday morning to help others feel welcomed. Contact Anna Shoberg at
[email protected] or stop by the orange wall! Have a great pie recipe? November 23 is our Thanksgiving Eve service. We are looking for volunteers to make pies to share with our church family after the service! Check out the pie sign-up at the Information Desk or contact Anna Shoberg at
[email protected].
2016
9 OAV. EMM. BTERRA D N 1 3I T, I 2O 0N1A6 L
CO M M ITM E N T
Want to learn more about opportunities to get connected? Check out the Next Step Lunch today, November 13 from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Enjoy a free lunch, a time to connect with others, and learn about ways to dig in here in this church community! Childcare will be provided. Please feel free to attend even if you weren’t able to sign-up in advance.
Tuesday, November 15 9:30a Naomi Fellowship 1:00p Priscilla Fellowship 6:00p First Place 4 Health Wellness Program 6:00p Financial Peace University Planning Meeting 6:15p Women’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) 6:30p Service and Missions Core Team 7:00p Men’s Growth Group 7:00p Women’s A.A. Meeting
N OVE M BE R
We are one church family worshiping in two different styles while sharing the same message as we explore the Heart of the Father together.
Welcome to church. We believe with all our hearts God loves you, and we hope that you will experience the love and grace of Jesus in this church community. Slow down, breathe deeply, and open your heart to God. This is a safe place to pray, learn about Jesus, and experience hope, peace, and grace in the Spirit of God. When you’re ready to deepen your connection here or take your first or next steps with Jesus, stop by the ORANGE wall near the main entry to our church building.
Children are always welcome in worship. We offer Sunday kids programming on the second, third, fourth and fifth Sundays of each month. Check-in is at the North end of the Commons.
SUN DAY
♪ Please join in singing
Children
● Please stand
Gathering Welcome & Announcements ●♪Intergenerational Worship Medley
Trailblazer Retreat • 4th, 5th, & 6th Grades • November 18 & 19 • There is still time to register for our annual retreat! It will be a night of worship, games, and small groups. The retreat is from 6 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. on Saturday. The cost is $15 per student. You can register on-line at flcwb.org.
Important Dates: Nov. 18 &19 Trailblazer Retreat November 27 No HISKids (Thanksgiving Break) December 18 Christmas Concert
Contact Rachel Thoren at ext. 209 or
[email protected].
●The Sharing of the Peace Take My Life
Learning ●Reading
Acts 10:23b-33 (NIV Quest Study Bible pg. 1610)
Message The Forgiveness of Sins Danny Housholder, Pastoral Intern
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper (9 a.m.)
Students
Offering
Refuge ● Wednesday Nights, 6:30-8:30 p.m. ● All students are welcome to join us. We are in our third week of the series Chaos; where we are learning how to go to God when we are stressed and overwhelmed.
Important Upcoming Dates: December 7 Refuge followed by Feed My Starving Children January 21-22 9th Grade Retreat
●Words of Institution ●Our Lord’s Prayer
Green Hymnal pg. 91
Contact Melinda Kern at ext. 204 or
[email protected].
Please come forward to share the Lord’s Supper together. You are welcome at the Lord’s Table. White grape juice is available in the center of the tray. Gluten-free crackers are also available.
●Prayer and Apostles’ Creed
Green Hymnal pg. 85
Celebration of Confirmation (10:30 a.m.) ●Apostles’ Creed
Green Hymnal pg. 85
Adults
♪O Come to the Altar
♪O Come to the Altar ♪Holy Spirit
Sending ●Benediction ●♪Take to the World ●Dismissal
Green Hymnal pg. 95
Senior Adults
●Prayer
6:00p Sanctuary Choir 6:30p Adult Growth Groups 6:30p Catalyst 6:30p Refuge (7-12th Grades) 7:15p Women’s Chorale 8:00p Handbells
Thursday, November 17
Confirmation Video ●Confession and Forgiveness
Missed the Connection Event this fall? Growth groups are the best way to be known in your church family! Check out flcwb.org/find-a-group and/or contact Linsey at
[email protected]. She’s happy to help you experience life in a circle! Women’s Christmas Tea ● December 3, 11:30 a.m. ● Tickets for the tea will be on sale today at a table in the Commons. The cost is $12 plus a PJ donation (all sizes needed). Contact Kathy Schneider at 651.777.8935. There are still opportunities to host a table! Women’s Fellowship Leaders’ Bible Study ● Thursday, November 17, 3 p.m. ● Community Room ● If you the leader for study number four in Distorted Images of God, you are invited to come and get some insights into the study with us. All who would like to join in this study are welcome as well! Thanksgiving Eve Service ● Wednesday, November 23, 6:30 p.m. ● Sanctuary ● Worship, eat some pie, and, if you’d like,
Men’s Prayer Group ● Fridays, 7 a.m. ● Commons ● All men are welcome to pray with other men. Donuts are available. The Big Ring ● November 19, 11 a.m. ● Mall of America Rotunda ● The First Lutheran Handbells and many others are participating in an event designed to break the Guinness World Record for the largest handbell ensemble. The event is sponsored by the Salvation Army and is the kick-off to their Red Kettle campaign for 2016. Cub Foods is generously matching gifts that day, up to $15,000. Come share in the fun! help us pack up the donated diapers to be sent out to Project HOM as we wrap up the diaper drive! Pie donations are welcome! R.O.M.E.O. (Retired Old Men Eating Out) ● Thursday, December 1, 9 a.m. ● Baker’s Square ● All men are welcome to join in! Women’s Christmas Tea ● Saturday, December 3 ● Get your tickets today for this event. It’s a great way to start preparing your heart for the celebration of Christmas!
Contact Pastor Angie Way at ext. 208 or
[email protected].
12:30p Mary Fellowship 3:00p Women pf First Leaders’ Bible Study 6:30p Contemporary Worship Rehearsal 6:30p Evening Quilters Group 6:30p Maplewood Stamp Club 7:00p Church Council Meeting
Friday, November 18 7:00a Men’s Prayer Group 9:15a Friday Morning Women’s Bible Study 2:00p Fare For All 6:00p Trailblazers Retreat (4-6 grades) 6:30p Eve Fellowship
Saturday, November 19 6:15a Men’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) Leader Meeting 11:00a Trailblazers Retreat ends (4-6 grades) 3:30p Dorau/Pade Wedding
Sunday, November 20 8:45a HISKids Pathfinders (Nursery) 9:00a Contemporary Service 9:00a Growth Group 9:00a HISKids (Sunday School) 9:00a Traditional Communion Service 10:15a Growth Group 10:30a Contemporary Service 10:30a Ethiopian Church Prayer Time 10:30a New Growth Group Leaders 10:30a HISKids (Sunday School) 10:30a Traditional Service 11:30a Ethiopian Church
Learn more at www.flcwb.org.
Weekly Study Guide
#flcfamily
The Sanctuary pulpit flowers are given by Dan Lang in honor of his second wedding anniversary with Elena. We extend our sympathies to the family of Dan Bornkamp.
November 13, 2016 Wish to view the message again? Go to vimeo.com/flcwb. Will you be out of town soon? Watch online at livestream.com/flcwb. Desire to ask Danny a question about today’s message? Contact him at 651.429.5349 x215 or
[email protected].
The Forgiveness of Sins
Celebrating Birthdays
Things I’d like to remember about today’s message...
We honor those who are celebrating their 80- and 90-something birthdays this month: Dolores Burtness Gene Christensen Fern Darmody Marilyn Eckerson Helen Engstrom Ann Gerner Ruthe Hunt Jim Larson Robert Olson Margaret Rollie Claudette Zietlow Ann Marie Zschernitz We apologize if any names are missing. Please contact Denise in the church office.
Prayer Opportunities
This month we ask you to pray for our partnership with Mission of Hope, Haiti as we work together to further the Kingdom here on earth. Please pray for God’s work in the lives of these people: Gary, Laura, Todd, Lydia and Drew (a cure for Batten’s Disease), Chad (military), Jessica (military), Ken and Ingrid, Sharon, Jay, Aaron, Ron, Ann, Penny, Erin, Susan, Mary Jane, Nick, Pat, Christy, Denise, Sue, Marge, Nathan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Dennis, Haley, Cara, Chris, Greg, Bob, Becky, JP, the Pastors of FLC, Doug, Annie, Jim’s family, Kari, Merrill, Tim & Courtney, Sally, Doris, Mary Lou, Carol, Aaron and family The church rename process as we become Community of Grace Lutheran Church. Students who are being confirmed today. Please pray for our family members who aren’t able to worship with us regularly. Betty Andersen Dolores Clemens Helen Engstrom Rey Holmen Brian Larson Julie Madetzke Pat Nissen Pamela Rathburn Shirley Schurtz Beverly Simanski Ann Marie Zschernitz
Betty Anderson Kenneth Close Eleanor Fredricksen Betty Kieffer Gretchen Larson Veda Magnuson Joan Olson Marjorie Reibel Sally Seck Cynthia Smith
Lorraine Carlson Dolores Dziuk Lois Garberg Jeannie Kittel Violet Larson Lolly Mills Marion Olson Bob Rollie Norman Sellman Vicki Tatting
Laura Christiansen Esther Elsner Carol Hart Martha Lange Marylew Lindell Clara Nelson Doloris Pepin Renee Sandbakken Jean Shearen Danny Teich
When you have a prayer request, please fill out the Connections Card in the bulletin, call the church office, or email Amy at
[email protected]. Join the Prayer Team by sending an email to
[email protected].
Daily Readings Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Acts 15:36-41
Acts 16:1-5
Acts 16:6-10
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Acts 16:11-15
Acts 16:16-40
Acts 17:1-9
Regular habits of private Bible reading strengthen our relationship with God and teach us how to follow Jesus. In addition to the thematic exercise above, you can use this guide each week to lead you through relevant sections of the Bible.
Group Discussion Guide Connect This week we are focusing on forgiveness—and specifically, receiving it. Discuss some of the times in your life when someone forgave you. What did it feel like to be forgiven? How was your relationship with that person impacted?
It can be tempting to separate the Old Testament from the New Testament into unrelated collections of books but in verses 10-18, Paul is quoting multiple Old Testament passages. What do you suppose Paul is doing here? Think about the connections we have with people who lived before Jesus.
Paul talks a lot about law and faith in this passage. What does he help you understand about following God’s law and God’s grace through faith?
Learn The topic of forgiveness can be touchy, especially when we talk about receiving it. Who likes to admit that they’ve done something wrong? Yet, receiving forgiveness requires us to acknowledge that we messed up. Also, does anyone like not being in control? This is the case when we are looking for forgiveness. We’re relying on someone else’s ability to demonstrate grace. So, is seeking forgiveness really worth the challenge?
Read Isaiah 53. Remember, Isaiah proclaimed these words from God before Jesus came. Imagine hearing this prophecy from that perspective. How do you suppose Isaiah’s audience responded? How might you have responded?
After reading this passage, why do you suppose forgiveness in Christ is necessary to be in a relationship with God for eternity?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Remembering that we all fall short of God’s glory, what does this passage give you?
Paul writes, “The old has gone, the new is here!” If we really accept this promise, what does it mean for the way you live your life? Should we live with guilt? Are we able to live in freedom? The passage talks about a pure servant who makes it possible for sinners to be justified. What are your thoughts about the servant? The sinners?
The servant is mistreated, unrecognized and despised. What sorts of emotions does this make you feel? Talk about specific verses.
Now, remember that we are people who fall short of perfection—sinners—and Jesus is the servant who came to justify us in the way that Isaiah 53 describes. What are your feelings regarding Jesus with this in mind?
Read Romans 3:9-31. Paul is pretty harsh on people in general in verses 9-18. Do you have any “knee jerk” reactions to what he is saying?
Pray and Apply Please, do not ever forget that, while we are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we have been redeemed by a Savior who willingly took on our transgressions (Isaiah 53). You are forgiven, and you are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17)! No matter what you have done, you have been bought with the blood of Christ (Galatians 3:13-14), and you have been saved! Go live in that freedom!
