Sunday, December 10, 2023 | | |
|
|
In-Person Worship
8:30AM & 10:30AM
YouTube Livestream at 10:30AM
| |
Click on the link below to watch the YouTube Livestream worship service this Sunday. | |
|
Isaiah of the Exile
Readings:
First Reading: Mark 1:1-4
Preaching Text: Isaiah 40:1-11
| | | |
|
RIP Medical Debt Relief Challenge
Heidi Mandt will be speaking at church this Sunday about the challenge.
St. Barnabas is again partnering this holiday season with Lord of Life Lutheran in Maple Grove, and many other churches in the area, to help support the work of RIP Medical Debt, a national organization working to end medical debt across the US.
For every dollar donated to RIP, they are able to forgive roughly $100 of medical debt for low income families- an incredibly efficient use of resources. For more information on this wonderful cause, check out their website at RIPMedicalDebt.org or talk to Heidi Mandt. Our church goal is to raise $5,000 over the next few weeks to complete our total goal of $10,000. Once we've met that goal, we will get another giving report from RIP. Our last report total was $343,000 forgiven for 433 families! Consider a gift of freedom from medical debt this season!
Donations can be made by writing in “RIP Medical Debt” on our general offering envelopes, or electronically on our website using the RIP Medical Debt button under Online Donations.
| |
|
Update for Pastor Jeff’s Transition to England
As we come to the end of this year, we want to give an update on the transition plans for Pastor Jeff and St. Barnabas. Members of the church council met with Pastor Craig Peterson in the synod office, and we came to the conclusion that an interim pastor will be the best model for our lead pastor transition following Pastor Jeff’s departure. Pastor Jeff’s final Sunday will be July 14. An interim pastor would likely begin the next month. This time of lead pastor interim will allow St. Barnabas to consider our next steps and to continue our strong ministry. The length of the interim has not yet been defined, but we will continue to work closely with our synod office to seek the interim pastor who best fits our setting, and the appropriate length of the interim’s call. We will also hold “listening forums” after the new year to give time for updates of the final months of Pastor Jeff’s time with us, and the interim time to follow. Watch the E-News for those dates and times.
Also, we are blessed, and are grateful, to have Pastor Stephanie continue her strong work here as well, which will provide steady ministry and care for our congregation as she continues in her position. Again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask someone on our church council.
| |
|
Christmas Eve Instrumental Group
Andrew Pole would like to pull together church members and guests of all ages to play their instruments about 30 minutes before the 2pm and 4pm Christmas Eve services this year.
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. In addition, there will be one optional practice scheduled in the coming weeks.
If you're interested, reach out to Andrew via email at [email protected] or text (952) 242-5019 and let him know your name, which service you can attend, what instrument you play, and your email address where he can send music to. There will also be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
| |
|
Another Era Ends
Carolyn Mueller has decided to close the books on her tenure as an accountant for St. Barnabas. Carolyn has served faithfully and with the utmost care since 2003. That is twenty years folks! We all owe a very big thank you of gratitude to her for the many hours of quiet accounting and her ceaseless pursuit of doing the job right. Thank You Carolyn!
Therefore, we are looking for a new Accounts Payable accountant to begin ASAP. Carolyn will aid with the transition during the month of December. The unpaid, volunteer position takes 2-3 hours a week in the St. Barnabas office with very flexible hours and time off. There is a complete job description available. Please contact Brenda in the church office or Bill Welshons at [email protected] or 763-412-5030 if you are interested.
To view the Accounts Payable Accountant Responsibilities click here
| |
|
2023 Year End Contributions
If you plan on sending a contribution through the mail, envelopes must be postmarked by December 31st to be counted as 2023 contributions. If giving a contribution in person at church, checks must be dated for 2023. Contributions given in church on Sunday, December 31st need to be noted if they are for 2023 or 2024.
| |
|
Upcoming Services & Activities
Sunday, December 10th:
8:30am - Worship
10:30am - Sunday School Christmas Program
Join us for a joy-filled re-telling of the Christmas story in spoken word and song. Our children and youth have been working hard to bring you this little bit of holiday cheer!
Monday, December 11th: 2:00pm - Art Open House
We’ll have the project supplies out extra long so you can stop by and make some creative gifts or cards for your loved ones for Christmas. Join us between 2pm and 6pm to indulge your creative side!
Sunday, December 17th:
8:30am - Worship
10:30am - Worship
Thursday, December 21st: 6:30pm - Blue Christmas Service
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 this day, the longest night of the year, we will gather to acknowledge and honor our struggles, and to hear a gentle message of hope and joy as the days finally begin to grow longer again.
Sunday, December 24th:
8:30am - No service
10:30am - Advent 4
The calendar may say Christmas Eve, but it’s still Advent here until after the 10:30 service. We’ll enjoy a poetic service of Advent Lessons and Carols this morning that will give us a little taste of the Christmas we will experience in the later services.
2:00pm - Kid-friendly
This service is designed to be upbeat and interactive, with an engaging, activity-based sermon, lots of movement, and upbeat music. We’d love to involve as many kids in leading as possible.
4:00pm - Festival
We’re pulling out all the stops for this one. The adult choir and brass ensemble will be leading our music, and you’ll experience all the “traditional” elements of a St. Barnabas Christmas.
9:00pm - Contemplative
The lights will be low, the music will be mellow, and we will gently welcome baby Jesus into the world.
Sunday, December 31st:10:30am
Only one service today, as we jump into the Book of Mark. The Narrative Lectionary is moving into the New Testament!
| |
|
Christmas Poinsettias
Poinsettias can be purchased in memory of or in honor of a loved one for $12 each. There’s a
sign-up sheet in the narthex, along with an envelope labeled "Poinsettias". Place cash or check in this envelope or in your regular offering envelope with the designation “flowers”.
| |
Other News & Church Activities | |
|
We have been invited to participate in Redeemer's Christmas Store on Saturday, December 9th.
The Christmas Store offers children a chance to buy (4) gift-wrapped presents for $1 (25 cents each) for their family members. On that day, doors will open at 9:00am and the event goes until Noon, with the shopping experience from 9:30am - ~11am. We are excited for how this in-person event provides an opportunity to connect with the community and encourage kids to share in the generosity of giving at Christmas time.
The success of the Christmas Store flows from the generosity of everyone who is willing to donate gifts, time, and resources and partner in providing children the joy of giving Christmas gifts to their loved ones. The main ways we envision needing support for this event include:
Donating gifts for the event and/or gift cards that could be used to purchase gifts and supplies (Some examples of gift suggestions)
Volunteering to provide day of the event support (especially gift wrapping) or to help with a few set-up needs ahead of time -- Volunteer Sign-up Form
Thank you for your generosity!
| |
Morpheus Concert ~ Saturday, December 9th | |
|
Choir Christmas Party
December 17, 6pm to 9pm
Jeanette and Randy Wedin are excited to host this year's Choir Christmas party at their house!! They have created a google doc for the potluck signup in an attempt to avoid having everyone bring the same thing.
If you're in the choir, check your email for party details and location.
| |
Lutefisk & Meatball Dinner
Saturday, January 18 at 12 Noon
First Lutheran Church Columbia Heights.
Cost is $23 per person
There's a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Deadline to sign up is Sunday, December 18th.
Contact Sandra Halvorson with questions (612) 387-8412
| |
|
20th Anniversary JustGifts Market
The market was quite a success last weekend.
Over $13,000 was received for both donations and purchased crafts. These dollars will be allocated to the various missions and final amounts will be reported in the next week or two. You can still make a charitable donation to one of the missions through this weekend. Forms are available in the narthex, or you can call the office.
| |
|
Church Directory
Get Your Picture Taken This Sunday
It's time again to update our church directory. If you’re missing a picture and would like one added or you’d like your current picture updated, send what you’d like to use to Brenda in the church office at [email protected]. If you'd like us to take your picture here at church, stop in during office hours or one of the pastors can take your picture before or after worship. If you have a new mailing address, a new email address, have added a mobile number or changed an existing number in the past 12 months, let Brenda know of the changes. Also, let Brenda know if you no longer attend St. Barnabas and would like to be removed from the directory. Deadline for submissions is December 31st.
| |
|
Christmas Dinner Sign-up
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 tentative menu will be ham, potatoes, vegetables, and dessert. We’re sorry but we can’t guarantee meeting any dietary restrictions. There's a sign-up sheet in the Narthex and the deadline is Sunday, December 18th so we can plan food.
| |
|
Leaving Misc. Items at Church
We've had many items left on the tables in the narthex and in the kitchen and these areas are starting to look a bit cluttered.
- Do not leave greeting cards, stationery, food containers, or any other unwanted items.
-
We no longer collect calendars for the Adult Corrections Facility in Plymouth or any other organization.
- If you leave dishes or bakeware at the church for Sunday treats, after a funeral, etc., make sure to take those items home.
If you have items you think others may be interested in here at church, contact Brenda in the office or talk to one of the pastors. Thank you.
| |
St. Barnabas Spotlight ~ Save the Date | |
|
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.
| |
|
IOCP Food Shelf Most Needed Items:
Brand Name Cereal
Hearty Soup
Healthy Snacks (e.g. popcorn, crackers, granola bars)
Healthy Beverages (e.g. sparkling water, tea, juice boxes)
Paper Grocery Bags (These are expensive to purchase and offer you an opportunity to recycle the bags you don’t need.)
Good News Prison Ministry:
Needs clothing donations for people who are being released. Sweat pants (sizes S-XXL), hoodies, sweatshirts, shirts (sizes L-XXL), winter coats (sizes XL-XXL)
Jonathan House (housing for asylum-seekers): Needed by Dec. 15th
Toilet paper (72 rolls), paper towels (36 rolls), Kleenex (12 boxes), printer paper (2 reams), 4-gallon trash bags (4 boxes)
| |
|
We are looking for a new Accounts Payable accountant to begin ASAP. Carolyn will aid with the transition during the month of December. The unpaid, volunteer position takes 2-3 hours a week in the St. Barnabas office with very flexible hours and time off. There is a complete job description available. Please contact Brenda in the church office or Bill Welshons at [email protected] or 763-412-5030 if you are interested.
To view the Accounts Payable Accountant Responsibilities click here
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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
| |
|
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.
| | | | |
