Spirit Alive Church
February, 2017 
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We see a welcoming family, living the Gospel of Grace. We see a family where people can safely seek, question, and be revived.  We see a family energized by the Spirit alive in our midst.
The Reformation

By Pastor Jennifer 
 
500 years ago in 1517, Martin Luther, a priest in the Catholic church, became frustrated with his church. They were doing things that weren't part of God's word. They were teaching people that if they were faithful enough, they could earn people out of hell and in between places, by paying for and praying through indulgences, all in exchange for money. So Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the door at a church in Wittenburg. These theses were meant to be reforms that the church could do that would deepen people's faith by connecting them to God's word, rather than taking their money. Why the church door? The church door was sort of the bulletin board for the community. They came to read (if they could) any community announcements. 

This act was NOT popular! In fact it initiated a series of events that included labeling Martin Luther a heretic and causing him to flee for his life. However, eventually, it lead to the Lutheran Church forming. This year, 500 years later, we will celebrate Martin Luther's courageous actions. We begin celebrating with a round robin preaching series on the Wednesdays in Lent (See Worship Wednesdays). There will be a chance to share in the work of the Outreach Center.  And we will culminate this celebration on Reformation Sunday, October 29, 2017

Reformation is about more than looking back. It is about each of us intentionally drawing closer to God, through scripture, and faith practices of prayer, bible reading, worship, and serving others. It's about telling the story of how God is reforming our hearts. So, worship! Pray! Read scripture and Serve others! All in the name of Christ!  
 
From Our Synod...

Lenten Devotions Available
 
 
As you plan Lent, we are pleased to share that Outreach for Hope is making Lenten devotions available in 2017, beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 1.
 
Title and Theme:  "Walking Together in Hope." Bishop Erickson has provided us with a framework around the theme of "Accompaniment" and the five values that are part of authentic accompaniment. Bishop Erickson will lead the first week off with four devotions, beginning Ash Wednesday. A team of authors will give personal perspectives on the five Accompaniment values: Mutuality, Vulnerability, Inclusivity, Empowerment, and Sustainability.
 
A sample devotion, written by Bishop Erickson, is attached.
 
The Devotions will be available to every congregation.
In February we will be sending the whole devotion booklet electronically to every congregation in the Greater Milwaukee Synod, to use and distribute as they wish.  
 
Devotions also available daily by Email. Individuals may sign up to receive the devotions in their personal Email each day, as in the past.  Go to  www.outreachforhope.org. Scroll down to the right hand column to provide your name and Email address. Then check the box marked "Lenten Devotions."
 
If you have immediate questions, contact the Synod office, 414-671-1212.  
--
Rev. Jim Bickel
Director - Outreach for Hope
Greater Milwaukee Synod
Office:  414-671-1212  Ext. 225 
  
Small Groups and Teams 
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Consider joining one of our on-going small groups that are always open:
 
Wine and Women  - Leader Roxann Crabb, Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month, at 7:00 p.m.

Koinonia
 - Leader Donna Johnson, Meets the 2nd Tuesday  of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Donna Jensen's home. (Koinonia means "Christian fellowship.") 

Messy Spirituality
 - Leader Donna Johnson, Meets the 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Donna Jensen's home. 

Fab 50 Fellowship  - Leader Corlis Hachey, 
Fab 50 Fellowship meets the second Thursday of each month at a local restaurant at 6 p.m. for food and fellowship.  For information, contact Corlis Hachey at chachey5744@gmail.com or on Spirit Alive! website under small groups.

Quilt Club -The Quilt Club is looking for people experienced in sewing to make quilts for those in need of extra prayers and for baptisms. Meeting times are flexible and sewing may also be done on your own at home. 
For information see Corlis Hachey after church service  
or email at chachey5744@gmail.com.  

First Impressions - We know that first impressions are important and Spirit Alive wants to welcome ALL people and let nothing get in the way of that. Everything from Greeters to Ushers to Information Table to following up with guests...this team is a BIG part of welcoming God's people on Sunday morning. There are many tasks to be accomplished, but even if you simply want to be a friendly face and a welcoming smile, then let us know and join the 1st Impressions effort!

Care Team -
A big part of our walk with God is caring for each other. The Care Team visits members in their homes, the hospital and wherever they need us to offer spiritual support, prayer and communion. Are you interested in learning how to care for others in a Christian Community in this way? Maybe God is calling you to this ministry but you don't know how to start. Join US!  Your care team members are ... Carl Johnson, Donna Johnson, Donna Jensen, Jaime Santiago, Joan Hisel, Karen Thomas. For all spiritual care requests please call Donna Johnson at 262.605.4830 or Karen Thomas at the office please call 262.658.2433 or admin@spiritalivechurch.com.

NEW 
FAITH5 Small group - 
Join us as we practice 5 faith practices to help deepen our practice of faith. The scripture we use will be based on the scripture used each Sunday, and will help you talk together as a family/friend group. We will meet the first and third Sundays of the month at 10:45 in the Teacher's Lounge at PPE. Talk with Pastor Jennifer if you have any further questions.   
 
 
S chedule for Youth Group

BREW: Sunday mornings - 8:15ish at Starbucks

ChAngent/Adultish: Youth Group meets on Thursday evenings at Donna Jensen's house, 6:30-7:45 pm for Middle School,
7:30-8:45 pm for Adultish - Feb. 2, 9, 16 & 23.
Questions: donnie@spiritalivechurch.com
Good Friday Rehearsals have begun at St. Mary's Lutheran Church.   
Communion Small Group 
 
Do you wish your child had some education about communion?  Has it been a long time since you have learned about communion, and you want to refresh its meaning? Pastor Jennifer will be offering a Sunday afternoon small group for all generations who wish to deepen their experience of communion. We will meet on Sunday,    March 5 and 19 at 1 p.m. at St Paul's Lutheran Church. Those wishing to receive communion for the first time will be invited to receive a prayer and blessing on Thursday, April 13, 2017, Maundy Thursday.  
Christian Music Artist Peder Eide at Lord of Life Lutheran Church
 
We are invited to join Lord of Life Lutheran Church (5601 Washington Road, Kenosha, WI) as they welcome back Peder Eide, February 11 & 12. In addition to leading worship at all three services that weekend, he will also be leading his TASTE WORSHIP workshop, an intergenerational event connecting families and church families through worship. The workshop will be held Saturday afternoon from 1-3. Worship will be Saturday evening at 5:30 or Sunday morning at 8 or 10:30! There is a limit to the number of people that can attend at the workshop - if you would like to register for this FREE event, please call 262-656-1995. It is first come, first served, so sign up now! (No registration is necessary for worship ... all are ALWAYS welcome!)

Click here to view poster
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Vision for Shared Space Team
(V4SST) 

Sharing Space trial begins on Ash Wednesday. 
 
SALT leadership team voted to try it for a month. St. Paul's voted to try it for a month. So beginning March 1, Ash Wednesday, we will worship at St. Paul's for 1 month. Our Ash Wednesday Worship time is 7 p.m.
Our Sunday worship time is 11 a.m.  We will have more details in the weeks to come, but we will setup at 10 a.m. Thanks for taking a risk with us to see what God is doing and try this. Following the trial, you will be invited to give feedback about the experience that will guide us on future decisions! 
 
If you have questions, please talk with the V4SST members, Sean Hayes, Stan Livermore, Christina Oldani and Pastor Jennifer

Final Blessed in 10 - Anniversary Celebration! ten_striped_candles.jpg

Save the date and join us for a dessert and coffee reception to celebrate our 10 years as a congregation. Friday, February 3, 2017 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Lutheran Church. Come one. Come all! Entertainment will be provided by the Lonely Ninjas, and Karl Ericson from the ELCA Outreach Center will share a message. 

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In the church, the 6 weeks before Easter represent Jesus' journey and ministry that prepares him and us for his death and resurrection. This year the Kenosha ELCA churches are preparing a midweek series on Luther's Small Catechism. We will be preaching on The Apostle's Creed, The Lord's Prayer, baptism, communion The Ten Commandments and the Theology of the Cross. The pastors will be rotating to a different congregation each week. 
 
At Spirit Alive we are invited to worship at St. Paul's on the following  Wednesdays. 
March 1:  Ash Wednesday  7 p.m.
March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5:  Worship @ 6:30 p.m.
                Join us for a soup supper @ 5:30 p.m.
 
Offerings taken during these services will go to support the ELCA Outreach Center. Each worshipping community is challenged to raise $100 each week ($500 total.)  (See the 500 hundred connection to the 500 year of Reformation?)  Let's help the Outreach Center get that new roof!  
 
Join Us In Our Desire to Become More Welcoming 
 
We are beginning the conversation on full inclusion in our congregation.  Join us for the conversation . 
 
On Sunday February 5:
  • What do all the letters mean?  ELCA, RIC, LGBTQ
  • What questions do you have?  Submit them anonymously to the coffee can.
On Sunday, February 12:
  • Sean Hayes will share his story in a community of faith.
  • As a group we will talk about the 4 sources of theology, and read scripture.
  • We will have a sheet for family devotions at home.
On Sunday, February 19:
  • Ann Livermore will share her story.
  • As a group we will continue to read scripture.
  • We will have a sheet for family devotions at home.
  • Following worship, there will be a forum to discuss scripture and full inclusion more deeply.
On Sunday February 26:
  • As a group we will talk about Baptism Identity and answer our questions from the coffee can.
  • We will discuss a welcome statement from the LGBTQ group.
  • Members are invited to informally and anonymously tell us whether or not they would like to move forward and vote on a full inclusion statement at Spirit Alive.
Ashes On The Go! 
 
Our next REACH event will be on Wednesday, March 1.  Join Pastor Jennifer as we offer "Ashes on the Go".  We are looking for 2 teams of people 1 team from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and a second team from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. We will meet in the CafĂ© at the Metra Station ( 5414 13th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140) and go out in teams. 
 
More people are needed at 9 a.m. at the ELCA Outreach Center where will offer ashes to people there. 
 
Sign up right here or with Pastor Jennifer. 

Ashes on the Go
Why Ashes?
Ash Wednesday begins a season in the church when we prepare for Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection. During that preparation it became the custom of Christians to remember that God created us from the dust of the earth. (Genesis 2:7) The point of this is to remember that God is God, and we are not. We turn away from our desires and toward God's desires. Ashes are a visible sign reminding us to seek forgiveness and walk with God.   
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Wondering when we will cancel worship?
This is good time to remind everyone what happens if the weather or other emergencies would cause us to cancel our Sunday morning worship. We will post our closing on our web site, our Facebook page and on Fox 6 news. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Jennifer.   


Quick Email Links

 

Sundays
9:30 am

Pleasant Prairie Elementary School
Wilmot Rd.
(Hwy C)
Pleasant Prairie, WI
262.658.2433

 
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Reminders via Text   
 
If you are interested in receiving reminders for ministry tasks via text message, please sign up with Pastor Jennifer. 
Volunteer Coordinator Needed: 
 
We are looking for a
Volunteer Coordinator.  Copies of this job description are on the table.  Can you help?  Talk with Pastor Jennifer today.
 
SUNDAY STARBUCKS!
It's that time again. Remember you can order your Sunday Starbucks to help the youth raise money for their youth trip. Call Donnie 262-620-3980 before 9 am to place your order, and be prepared to pay him when he arrives at church at 9:15.    

Reinventing Radical Faith
Spirit Alive Church
262.658.2433