Saturday, November 2, 9am - 12pm
Come help with yard work and general clean up to prep for winter!
All ages welcome.
Bring a rake!
Come help with yard work and general clean up to prep for winter!
All ages welcome.
Bring a rake!
Moving from "What if...?!?" to "Even if...!" Sunday evening, November 3, 7-7:30 pm
We're gathering on Zoom for prayer to surrender all of our "what if...?s" to God, and to receive the Spirit's "Even if...!s" from God, so we can navigate a fraught week connected to God who holds the world in love, and to our fellow Americans/human siblings whom we are called to love. Come what may and no matter what. Zoom link will be sent out in an email the day before. Quick Dip and Deep Dive resources to help us stay grounded in the Way of God instead of the Way of Fear as we navigate American politics in this moment. 1- QUICK DIP: Practicing Civic Discipleshipa recorded conversation from The Trinity Forum with Walter Kim & Adam Taylor. The polarization and confusion among Christians in this moment have left many unsure about how to pursue faithful engagement in public life. So what does it mean to follow Christ in the public square? How can we be formed to exhibit and embody Christian virtues in a way that reflects our primary citizenship in the kingdom of God?  Watch Practicing Civic Discipleship Video2- DEEP DIVE: Faith & Politics for the Rest of UsA 14- session Theology Class course with Trip Fuller, Diana Butler Bass, and Tim Whitaker. In a time where the public square is increasingly tribal and algorithmically addicted to outrage, over-simplification, and performative politics, a tour of these rich yet neglected theological traditions can inspire and fund a more vibrant Christian voice in the public square as we seek to embody the love of neighbor to which we are called.  Brings together a number of alternative theo-political visions to introduce a multiplicity of vibrant, yet neglected traditions in public theology. With the help of some of the most powerful voices in the academy, participants will be introduced to these traditions and get to put them into action as we wrestle with our present moment, discovering the potential for an alternative public Christian witness. Access Theology Class for Faith & Politics for the Rest of UsHOW TO ACCESS: Follow link to access theology class with our website password. Then log into the Faith & Politics for the Rest of Us course on the Theology Class website with the credentials provided. (Go to our own page Theology Class for more information.)  ANNOUNCING A (VERY BRIEF) CONGREGATIONAL MEETING October 20, after worship, we will meet briefly to:
  Remember when we read Andy Root and Blair Bertrand's book, When Church Stops Working?
Imagine if Andy rustled up a gathering of a bunch of theologians with Hartmut Rosa for a deeper dive? It's happening! "On September 23 and 24, we invite you to join us in a unique conversation between internationally-recognized practical and constructive theologians, and renowned sociologist Hartmut Rosa. Rosa is considered to be one of most important big-idea sociologists in the world. Rosa particularly names how the acceleration of human life has alienated us from the world, keeping us from social connection in our most important relations and fraying our social fabric. Over the two days of this conference, participants are invited into a conversation with Rosa about the future of congregational life and pastoral identity through critical theological engagement with his ideas and their implications for ministry in the present. We believe this event will hearten and inspire all those who care about the future of the church by clarifying the challenge before us, and directing our attention toward the ways God is leading in the here and now." In-Person in Princeton, NJ or Attend Virtually The conference will be streamed on Airmeet, where virtual attendees can not only view lectures but also participate via live chat and Q&A. The event footage will be available for registrants to view after sessions are concluded, so feel free to register even if you aren’t able to attend all the sessions live! Virtual registration is $7.50. ______________________ Want to talk more about it and share reflections, insights and conversation? LNPC DEBRIEF: On Thursday evening (9/26) at 6:30 pm Mike Woods will lead an hour-long discussion group for folks who have participated in any of the event. JOIN HERE For the next two years we are journeying together through the bible. This year is our year of the Old Testament. Next year we will move through the New Testament. A timeline in Art Space - the hallway outside the sanctuary - will mark our progress and share our thoughts along the way.  The central theme of our Christian story is God’s SHALOM- God’s wholeness, peace, connection and life for all people and creation. Some of the ways we've described this include belonging to God and each other, loving God and neighbor, the Way of God (instead of the Way of Fear). Shalom, fullness of life, is God’s intention for the world, and invitation to all people. The Old Testament tells of God’s shalom in the lives and stories of those gone before us, and these stories are part of our own lives and story with this same God who continues to minister to the world shalom and invite us to be sharers in shalom. The Peace Table - Come get yours! All household in the congregation will receive The Peace Table – a chronological collection of over 140 bible stories. Worship will move through stories directly out of this book. We will read 1-4 stories between each Sunday service as we progress through the book together. After each story is a short section with discussion questions, wonderings, and tidbits for chatting or journaling at home.  Bible as novel: For those who would enjoy a more narrative progression through the bible, by Walter Wangerin The Book of God is recommended for adults and The Bible for Children is great for kids 8-12. They are in our library, but you can pick up your own if you’d like to follow along all year at home.  Bible as graphic novel: The Action Bible is a good one for adults or reading kids. There are two in our library, or pick up your own to follow along all year at home.
Context and background: Check out these helpful books that will set the stage and give historical and theological background to what we are reading, now in our church library:  We’ll have other opportunities, such as Church Chat and guest lecturers, to dig into the story of our faith in scripture this year.
Option to pitch in: The Peace Table costs $29. Extra offerings to the “Life and Ministry of LNPC” fund help cover the cost of providing this to every household, but are not required.
Share your Back to School Photos with the rest of us!
(Send to Pastor Kara by September 5, and we will send out the photo gallery on Sept. 6)  Saturday, September 21, 5:00 pmBring your animal (on leashes, in crates or aquariums!) for an outdoor worship service where Pastor Kara and Pet Chaplain Joyce lead us in a blessing of the animals.
 We will kick off the Fall with our Rally Sunday POTLUCK PICNIC & Back to School Blessing for students and teachers!
This is also our first week in our All-Church journey through the Old Testament! Get ready for some fun!  ARC Retreat Community is looking for volunteers to help located, gather, split, and stack hard wood for winter burning. This is a great group activity for one and done or ongoing volunteer assignments.
For LNPC folks who haven't yet experienced ARC and our partnership with them, ARC offers free lunch and tours the first Wednesday of the month at noon! Please direct all guest ions and inquires to Dr. Suzanne M. Begin Executive Director [email protected] 763.689.3540 (ARC office) 678.525.6539 (Personal Cell) |
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January 2025
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