Sunday, December 15, 2024 | | |
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In-Person Worship
8:30am & 10:30am
YouTube Livestream at 10:30am
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See the Sunday morning Crosswinds to watch the YouTube Livestream this week. | |
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In Memoriam
Mary Seekamp
Dear friends in Christ,
Laurie Sanderson’s mom, Mary Seekamp died on December 3rd. There will be a celebration of life held at St. Philip's Lutheran Church, 6180 Highway 65 NE, Fridley, MN on Monday, December 16th at 11am (visitation at 10am) and a luncheon immediately following. Please keep Laurie's family in your prayers.
To read Mary's obituary click here.
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Interim Update
The church council met with Rev. John Hulden, Bishop’s Assistant from the Mpls Area Synod on this past Monday. He reviewed the call process and unique position of St. Barnabas. Since there was no formal interim period in the past senior pastor transition, it was encouraged that leadership enter a season of deep discernment and action involving “Three Great Listenings”: 1. Listen to those coming to church, 2. Listen to the Community outside the church, and 3. Listen to God. It was then decided to appoint a small transition team to both decide the best methods to get this vital information and then begin these ‘listenings’ -- hopefully in early 2025. That team would also prepare the more formal Mission Site Profile (MSP). The MSP when complete, would be approved by both the council and our Bishop (at a congregational meeting – likely later in the spring of 2025) before being given to a Call Committee or any potential candidates. The wheels are turning! Our prayer at this point is for our church members and friends to participate in this process as asked and to keep St. Barnabas and our leadership in your prayers! – Pastor Tom Olson, Interim
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2024 Year End Contributions
If you plan on sending a contribution through the mail, envelopes must be postmarked by December 31st to be counted as 2024 contributions. If giving a contribution in person at church, checks must be dated for 2024. If contributions are given in church on Sunday, December 29th, please note if they are for 2024 or 2025.
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Nominations for Open Council Positions
The nominating committee of the Council is currently considering nominations for open Council positions, as well as for voting members at the next Synod Assembly (May 2-3, 2025.) Open Council positions include those that relate to Property, Faith Formation, and Hospitality. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for either Council or Assembly, please speak with a member of the committee: President Colleen Lutz, Vice President Jeff Carter, Pastor Tom, or Pastor Stephanie.
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Sometimes it’s hard to be joyful during the Christmas season. Sometimes we need to take a step back and acknowledge the pain and stress that this time of year can bring. On Sunday, December 15th at 7:00pm we will gather to acknowledge and honor our struggles, and to hear a gentle message of hope and joy as the days prepare to begin growing longer again.
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Holiday Services
December 15 ~ Children’s Christmas Program
10:30am
December 15 ~ Blue Christmas Worship Service
7:00pm
December 22 ~ Handbells Christmas Music
9:30am in the Ministry Center
December 24 ~ Christmas Band Prelude
Andrew Pole will lead a pick-up Christmas Band in holiday music in the Narthex at 3:30pm
December 24 ~ Christmas Eve Worship Services
4:00pm and 9:00pm
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Hospital Visitation
If you or someone you know will be hospitalized and would like a visit from a pastor, please reach out directly to the church office or one of the pastors. HIPAA confidentiality laws prohibit hospitals from sharing patient information.
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The Prayer Chain
If you would like to participate in praying for our members and friends, please talk with Pastor Tom or Pastor Stephanie. If you would like to request prayer from our Prayer Chain, contact Brenda in the church office or talk with one of our pastors. Please indicate if you would like your prayer request to be shared with the congregation, or if it is confidential.
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Listening Posts
This year, at St. Barnabas, members of the council and an additional 30 regular church attendees took part in listening posts to identify our collective values and in what direction our congregation should be led.
Click here to read the entire blog.
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Other News & Church Activities | |
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Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center will have an information table in the Ministry Center on Sundays throughout the month of January. Stop by to learn more about the services and resources available to support families in our community. Melissa Weinhandl, FRC director, will be there to answer any questions.
In addition, the Family Resource Center will hold office hours every Wednesday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Whether you’re seeking assistance, want to stop by and say "hi", or simply need more information, we’re here to help. We look forward to seeing you on Sundays in January and welcoming you during our office hours!
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JustGifts Market
Thank you to all our volunteers and shoppers for a successful JustGifts Market last weekend!
If you are still interested in making a charitable donation, everything you need is in the front office. Donations will be accepted through Monday, December 16th. Watch the E-News for a future update on the total amount we raised for charity!
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If any of the these unsold items from the market belong to you, please come pick them up at the church office. | |
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Christmas Dinner
funded by Thrivent Financial
If you (or you and your significant other) are alone on Christmas Day, please join us at St. Barnabas. Don Collier will serve dinner in the Ministry Center at 1:00pm. The menu will include ham, potatoes, vegetables, and dessert. There's a sign up sheet at the Welcome Center.
The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, December 18th so Don can plan for food.
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Christmas Poinsettias
Red, white and pink Poinsettias can be purchased “in memory of” or “in honor of” a loved one for $12 each. There’s a sign up sheet at the Welcome Center, along with an envelope labeled "Poinsettias". Place cash or check in the envelope or in your regular offering envelope with the designation “flowers”.
Please check one of the “Paid” boxes to the right of the names.
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Christmas Eve Musicians Wanted
Andrew Pole would like to pull together church members and guests of all ages to play their instruments 30 minutes before the 4pm Christmas Eve service.
Adults and children of all ages are welcome. The Christmas music he has is relatively easy, so anyone with a couple years of experience playing their instrument and can read music should be fine. All of the parts will be covered by multiple instruments, so no one ever has to play their part alone. Andrew has music for all band and orchestra instruments, as well as for guitar.
If you're interested, reach out to Andrew via email at andrew.pole@comcast.net or call/text (952) 242-5019 and let him know your name, what instrument you play, and your email address where he can send music to. You can also sign up at the Welcome Center.
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Cross+Generational Event
December is already so busy that we’ve decided not to add to the busy-ness! Please mark your calendar for the next Cross+Generational Event on Thursday, January 9th from 5:30pm-7:00pm.
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Word for Women
Word for Women will begin a new book on January 9th. This would be a great time to join us if you haven’t done so yet! We will be reading Worth Fighting For by John Pavlovitz. If you’d like us to order a book for you, please sign up at the Welcome Center. Word for Women meets on Thursday mornings at 9:30am.
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Partner Congregation News | |
Redeemer Christmas Store
Our partners at Redeemer invite us to help make their Christmas store a success. This is a time on December 14th from 9:30-11 for kids to “go shopping” for Christmas gifts for family & friends and to experience the joy of giving!
They are looking for help on December 13th & 14th setting up, helping run the store, and helping clean up. It's a fun, festive way to share Christmas joy with our partners and their neighbors. Follow this link to sign up.
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Carols for Camp
Luther Park is hosting a Christmas Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, December 14th, from 3pm-6pm, at House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. This festive event will bring together our community to celebrate the holiday season while raising vital funds for Luther Park’s programs.
Join us at a table sponsored for St. Barnabas or sponsor your own and bring friends and family! E-mail Eric Boyd eric.hcr80@gmail.com or see the flyers in the Narthex for more information.
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December "Gift of Love"
ELCA World Hunger
More than 820 million people - that's about 11 percent of people in our world today - are hungry. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Working with and through our congregations in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty.
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Free Event ~ Opioid Education and Narcan Training
December 18th, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Free Opioid Education and Narcan Training for Plymouth Residents and Businesses. Learn the warning signs of opioid overdose, as well as what Narcan (Naloxone) is, how it works and when to use it. Join us for an upcoming free training at the Hennepin County Communications Center, 1245 Shenandoah Lane in Plymouth. The training is hosted by the Plymouth Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Bold North Recovery.
Preregistration is encouraged, register online.
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Donation Station (Updated 12/5/24)
Here is what we're currently collecting at our Donation Station in the Narthex.
Good News Jail Ministry
Needed: XL thru XXXL sweat pants & shirts, and fall/winter coats.
IOCP Food Shelf Most Needed Items
Baby Diapers (sizes 3, 4 & 6)
Healthy Snacks (granola bars, Goldfish crackers, applesauce cups)
Feminine Hygiene Products (especially pads)
Brand Name Cereals
Bottled Water
IOCP Client Clothing Most Needed New Items
Men’s Underwear (S, M, L)
Women’s Underwear (XS, S, M, L)
Women’s Socks - all sizes
Women’s Bras & Sports Bras (XS, S, M)
Children’s Shoes - all sizes
Children’s Socks & Underwear - all sizes
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Spread the Word!
Have you Liked and Followed our Facebook and Instagram pages? No? Go there right now and do it! (Please.) When you like our pages, they show up for the people you know, and we can extend our reach. Plus, the more you engage (like commenting, liking, and sharing posts), the further the word gets out! It's an easy way to tell everyone you know about St. Barnabas!
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Want something in the E-News?
Do you want your small group information, community activities or church news in the
weekly E-News? Please email your articles to Brenda Ericson with all the details by Wednesday morning of the week you want it shared.
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Church Council Minutes
Copies of the minutes are available in the narthex. They are also located on our website.
If you'd like to be added to the email list, call the church office at 763-553-1239
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Bulletin Delivery
Want a Bulletin Delivered? For those who are not able to access the worship video, some of our BeFrienders will deliver printed copies of the bulletin on Friday's or Saturday's.
If you'd like to have a Bulletin dropped off, you can call the church office at
763-553-1239.
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