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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.
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Worship at St. Paul's
Beginning March 1, we will worship at St. Paul's for the month of March. Here is our temporary morning schedule.
- Coffee Hour every week at 10:00 a.m.
- Sunday School for all ages every week at 10:15 a.m.
- 11:00 a.m. worship service
St. Paul's address is: 8760 37th Avenue, Kenosha, WI
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Becoming Reconciled in Christ
Dear friends,
There have been many questions from you all about why we are now becoming Reconciled in Christ. Let me take this moment to try and answer them here, and invite your vote.
We have always been welcoming to LGBT folks. Why are we doing this now?
First, you know that you have always been welcoming. Many churches say this, however, when it comes to actually living this they don't follow through, or they allow others to sabotage the welcome.
Having a public statement allows us to clarify who we are to ourselves.
It becomes a bylaw for us, and is a public statement for our website. When we clarify our mission in this way, members are clear why we do what we do. Individuals and pastors can't come in and change that without going back to the congregation for a vote.
Second, why now?
Because members in your midst need you to do this
. They need you to make a collective decision that's put on paper. This way we don't say we are welcoming while we quietly sabotage.
The LGBT community needs this. Our greatest evangelism in the past year has been to LGBT individuals and their family members. These people need a place of refuge in God's arms. We've been that quietly. Let's make it public! Besides people move all the time, and are looking for congregations that will welcome them. This will allow them to find us, and us to share Jesus with them!
This is going to cost us thousands of dollars!
Nope! It will cost us nothing. Congregations may decide who they are and add or update their bylaws and it costs us nothing. The people (members of the congregation) decide who they are, not outsiders! There is no cost for this. There's no cost to post it on our website and in our promotional materials. There isn't even a cost to post it on Reconciling works website. Check it out...
So, I invite you to read through our statement of welcome, approved by SALT (Spirit Alive Leadership Team). If we adopt this statement, it becomes a bylaw for our congregation. We can then post it on our web site and submit it to the Reconciling Works web site for LGBT folks to find our worship location.
We ask you to pray about this statement. Then, come to worship at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 19, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. We will vote immediately following worship in the sanctuary. Come and have your voice heard!!!
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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.
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Small Groups and Teams
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 [email protected] 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
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, and Becky Tucker. 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 [email protected].
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.
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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 - March 2, 9, 16, & 30.
Questions: [email protected]
Good Friday Rehearsals have begun at St. Mary's Lutheran Church.
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Communion Small Group
On Sunday, March 26 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. we will
hold a communion instruction class. This is open for those looking to have communion for the first time, and for those wishing to refresh their understanding of communion. We will bless and pray for those receiving
communion for the first time on Maundy Thursday, April 13.
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Thank You!
I would just like to thank those who helped my recovery!
Recovery from hospitalization and rehab is going well at home. A very grateful thank you to those who prayed for me and for Carl, sent cards, and provided food during those first weeks. It meant so much to know of your care.
Very sincerely, Donna and Carl Johnson
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Sharing Ministries
Mark your Calendars for the following shared ministry opportunities with our friends at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, which began February 28, all at St. Paul's.
- Wednesday, February 28, Fat Tuesday pancake supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. A free will offering is requested.
- Ash Wednesday Worship, March 1 at 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday Soup Supper March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5 at 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday Worship March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5 at 6:30 p.m.
- March 26 Brunch - during the coffee hour, bring some breakfast items and share fellowship together.
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Worship Wednesdays Before Easter 
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!
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Holy Week - Journey to the Cross with Jesus 
Palm Sunday,
Sunday, April 9, 9:30 a.m.
Worship at PPE
Worship with palms, prepare our hearts for Jesus' journey to the cross
Maundy Thursday, T
hursday, April 13, 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church,
8760 37th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142
Bless our friends receiving communion for the first time.
Hear the story of Jesus' last supper with his disciples
Good Friday, Friday, April 14
- Two times to worship:
Noon at
St. Paul's Lutheran, sponsored by our the ELCA churches in Kenosha and open to the community.
7 p.m. Youth led worship at St. Mary's. Come and support our youth, as they walk us through Jesus' death.
Easter Sunday - Alleluia, Christ is Risen!!
Sunday, April 16, 9:30 a.m. PPE
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"What's Next?" Forums
 Join us the next 3 weeks at 10:15 in the double room at St. Paul's as we ask the following questions and begin our strategic planning.
March 12 - What's not working?
March 19 - Who do we think we are?
March 26 - Where do we think God is leading us?
Pray for God's guidance.
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Media Computer
After 6+ years, our media computer is dying. We are purchasing a new one at around $2000 in order to support the graphics that we use every week. If you would like to support this ministry with a special donation, we welcome your donations. Just mark media computer on your check and we will use it for the computer.
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Sundays
9:30 am
Pleasant Prairie Elementary School
Wilmot Rd.
(Hwy C)
Pleasant Prairie, WI
262.658.2433
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"Like" Us on Facebook
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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.
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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.
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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.
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