In the Loop; In the Spirit

In September, we are looking at success as we might find it in Jesus’ words.  Is Success having the best church, best pastor, most righteous parishioners and a wonderful facility to hold them all?  Or is success the difference that all these make in the lives of others, many who may not even grace the doors of this select clan?  Labor Day began in 1885 and Jesus asks all who labor and are weary to come unto him.  This is one of the reasons for church.  Today as we move beyond the Labor Day week-end, he asks what we have done for the least of those around us.  May you do a kind act or deed this week to, for or with someone else in your community.

Join us for this great event!

Information on Health Care directives, Alzheimers, Blood Pressure, Battered Women , Blood Mobile info, Chemical Dependency, Children’s Dentistry, Chiropractic, CPR, STEP Food Shelf, General Health, Grief Support Group, Hearing loss, Heart health, Hospice care, Lifeline, File of Life, Lupus, Menopause, Senior Care, Senior Activities, Senior Linkage, Lutheran Social Services, Weight Loss/Eating Disorders, Sleeping Disorders, plus cookies from the Cookie Cart!

In July, Spirit of Christ members collected 1700 lbs of food from the surrounding community for STEP, the St. Louis Park Emergency Program.

Pastor Kevin and Rabbi Yonatan

Thanks to everyone who came out to “kick it” for STEP, the local social service agency in our community that was founded by the faith community working together to care for our neighbors.  We pray for the day that STEP will no longer be needed, but know our partnership is essential to be God’s hands, feet and shalom in Saint Louis Park.  Thanks especially to Jon and Ali London (Adath Jeshurun) and Brooks Anderson (Westwood) and Jason and Nicole Goerges (Spirit of Christ) who were the driving factors behind the event.  Join us for the next interfaith event!

We all have gifts to share, how do you see them unfolding here at Spirit of Christ. Read below:
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TRANSFORMATIONAL MINISTRY

Spirit of Christ recognizes Christ’s command to reach and include unchurched people. One of the ways to carry out that command is multiplying new ministries. We make it a priority to invite and welcome people who are not active in a local Christian faith community. Congregational transformation powerfully revitalizes ministries as they refocus on mission and vision and plans for ministry in a new day.

Our congregation actively supports new ministries through dynamic relationships of partnering.

We pray for the new ministries in our church and the community.

Spiritual depth and vitality are central activities of our congregation.

Our congregation’s core values direct us to discipleship not membership; to connection not isolation; and to transformation not maintenance.

Pastors, lay leaders and members work together toward an inspiring vision and asset based plans.

Our congregation knows and supports the direction we are headed. Our mission and vision communicate a desired future for our ministry.

To these purposes, I propose a new or renewed ministry.

1. The ministry that would best use my assets and gifts is:

2. The part that you can play in making this a reality.

3. The help or support you will need to help in this ministry is:

The Rev. (?) Fred Phelps was in the news over Memorial Day. here’s a Christian(?) pastor whose behavior seems to be anything but Christian. He recently won a lawsuit over the Father of a soldier, who the Rev. Phelps did a protest during his son’s fineral. During that funeral, Phelps and his group shouted out passages and comments inappropriate for the situation. While free speech is important, if we really follow Christ we will use it respectfully. Pastor Wes

We had a wonderful celebration of God’s faithfulness in our first year journey!  We heard Sara Blood, Nikki Christensen, Jason and Nicole Goerges share their journey of connecting and being sent for the sake of God’s world.  Great music provided from some friends from Wooddale, and a chance to pause and thank God…

“The Lutherans” scooped ice cream at the Children’s First Ice Cream social in Wolfe Park last Sunday.  We love this community and care about supporting our kids.

10 youth from Wooddale and Spirit of Christ went to Camp Ihduhapi in Loretteo, MN to think about “Challenging, Calling and Comforting,” how God meets us in the midst of our challenges. We also met a gnome.

Singing
Pastors Wes and Kevin and Prez Anne Kraft had a great experience representing SOC at the Minneapolis Synod Assembly. They worshipped and prayed with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from around the area and debated resolutions supporting indigenous peoples and mission direction for our church. They also had a lot of fun.