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EDEN PRAIRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH |
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Pastor’s Corner The house Nancy and I purchased when we moved to Eden Prairie two years
ago is nearly 20 years old. It was evident that the trees and shrubs were
planted shortly after the home was completed. The first summer we moved into the house I noted that the shrubs and
trees needed some pruning, but other things occupied our attention inside
the house. Now, in the third summer, I decided it was time to take action.
First I went head to head with a large, overgrown arbrovitae “tree”
which was blocking light into the house and making scratchy sounds on the
outside wall every time the wind blew. I decided it had to go. I worked
with pruning shears and bow saw until I was down to a stump. Next I
chopped and hacked away with the ax trying to break the stump apart. I
could tell that removing the roots would be a major event, so I settled
for cutting the stump level with the ground and covering it with mulch. A few weeks later I decided to go after some smaller overgrown shrubs
along the side of the house. “This will be easier” I thought. Although
the shrubs had leaves, I discovered as I began to cut the branches back,
that there were a lot of dead branches and twigs at the center of each
bush. When I cut it back to a more suitable size the shrub looked pretty
tough. I opted to remove them. Since the shrubs were only about three feet
wide and about the same height (before pruning) I foolishly assumed that
it would be quite easy to remove them. So I started probing around the
roots with a garden fork, trying to loosen the soil and then prying to
lift the bush out. It was then I began to realize that these were serious
roots! After prying, probing, chopping, hacking and sweating for about 25
minutes I finally got the bush out. It was quite a workout, but eventually
I got all three bushes out. Later, after I had showered and cooled down, the phrase: “rooted and
grounded in Christ’s love” came to mind. Paul used that image in his
letter to the Christians at Ephesus. After my shrub removal project I have
a new appreciation for the power of the metaphor he used. In Ephesians
3:16-17 Paul writes: “I pray that, according to the riches of his (God’s)
glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with
power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”
Paul suggests that if our roots are rooted and grounded in Gods love we
will be able to survive and thrive even when we get pruned back by the
difficulties and challenges of life and still be hopeful and able to keep
the faith. As I think about those shrubs I pray that we, the people of Prairie
Church will keep our roots planted and tended in the soil of God’s grace
and healing love made known through Jesus Christ. I believe there is a
passion among us for doing just that. Our congregational events as part of
the visioning/discernment process during the past 6 months have identified
several key areas for greater focus. There was a strong desire to place
greater emphasis on spiritual growth as a congregation and a
conviction that we be able to name God in all that we do as a
church. These goals are still in the formation process and will be
brought to an all-church gathering to prioritize our goals. But it has
been evident to me, in this process that there is passion for this
direction and focus. I see this desire for spiritual growth taking shape in the Sunday
morning faith sharing class led by Tom Wilson and Drake Talbert that has
been meeting every Sunday morning since April, and continues on through
the summer at 8:45 a.m. You are welcome to join them beginning this
Sunday! This fall more opportunities for faith formation will be offered
on Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the newly remodeled “Gathering Room”.
An expanded list of offerings for the coming year will be available near
the end of August. In the meantime, nurture your spiritual roots by
participating in Sunday morning worship each week. Being rooted and formed in the way of Jesus through study of scripture,
worship and prayer is not self-centered navel gazing, but is learning his
vision and making ourselves available to his love as he calls us to serve
others in his name. May we continue to plant our roots in the soil of God’s
salvation, justice, compassion and hope as we live the Christ life in word
and deed! Pastor Mike Miller
THANKS. . . . . to: John Jarvis, Judy Walstad, Adult Chaperon’s who accompanied
Pastor Leah Rosso and 13 youth on their recent Mission Trip to Martin,
South Dakota, July 18-23.
Children's Ministries
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL These wonderful volunteers taught Summer Sunday School for us this summer. MANY thanks for their time, energy and love--given for our children! Mehlhaus Family Leah Christenson Manicor Family Julie Marzinske (2 times) Kayla Christenson Starkey Family Kottke Family Buller Family (2 times) Deb Sweeney (2 times) Lorene McWaters (2 times) Peg Ingber Lundeen Family Evans Family Kathleen Chalekian
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL--HERO QUEST! Our week has drawn to a close. We have been on an adventure that will last a lifetime in our memories. The friendships, the activities, the scenery and the GIVING. We have found our ultimate hero, Jesus, AND have found the hero in all of us! These folks truly made Bible School possible with TONS of hard work and LOTS of hours! Crystal, Beth and Michelle Roemmich; Joan, Katie, Corey, and Randy Hanson; and Jeri, Krista, and Emily Anderson. THANK YOU!!! SPECIAL THANKS go to Randy and Joan Hanson. Randy built the playhouse that is being donated to Cornerstone and Joan designed the painting and decorations. It is fantastic! This year, one of the rooms that our children went to was called the Giving Room. There were projects for them to help with and then give to others. One was making trail mix and hygiene kits for Simpson Shelter. Another was making school supply kits to send with our youth to the children on the reservation in South Dakota. And another was to put finishing touches on a playhouse that will go to Cornerstone. AND in addition to all this, we collected almost $400 to give to PROP for their school supply program. This has truly been a year of giving at VBS! These people, despite busy schedules, all found time to make VBS a fantastic time of learning AND fun! We are blessed to be in ministry together here at Prairie Church.
Teachers/Helpers Decorating Specials Tammy Mehlhaus, Janet Palmer, Ann Allen, Alyssa Parr, Emily Palmer, Kari Lundeen, Beth Roemmich, Maddie Palmer, Joan Hanson, Krista Anderson, Bridget Jarvis, Lexi Walstad, Lauren Parr, Crystal Roemmich, Kelsey Walstad, Terri Myers, Beth Roemmich, Beth Mason, Heather Myers, Joan Hanson Julie McKenney, Jackie Engel, Katie Hanson, Kim Reed, Newell Nordbye, Corey Hanson, Gigi Davis, Jeri Anderson Playhouse Jeri Anderson, Krista Anderson, Randy Hanson, Joan Hanson, Emily Anderson, Joan Hanson, Jackie Engel, Deb Soderholm
Children’s Ministries—pg 2 Kitchen Offering Display Nancy Peterson Sue Hamilton Maryellen Seeley Story Amy Manicor Derek Prestly Puppets Leah Rosso Ray Soderholm Games Deb Webster Deb Soderholm Kari Lundeen Kathy Bowman FOOD PURCHASERS CRAFTS REGISTRATION Rita Cooper Crystal Roemmich Deb Wagner Nancy Peterson Beth Roemmich Ray Soderholm Ray Soderholm Linda Weegmann Cathy Schmitt Donations Picnic Help Sarah Schmitt Seeley Family Janet Palmer Kyle Hutchins Hanson Family Jean Kretzschmar Leah Christenson Allen Family Kayla Christenson Peterson Family MUSIC TARGET Jeannette Parr Lion's Tap If I've left someone off, please forgive me!
FALL
Classroom Cleaning It's amazing, but fall is fast approaching and that means that Sunday School will start up again. We could use help with cleaning of our rooms. We may want donations of items to liven up our rooms, also. Be watching bulletins for specific needs and times we can use your help! THANKS! Schedule: Our schedule will remain as follows for 2004-2005:
Children’s Ministries—pg 3 People Needed Teachers 1-2 for each station/each 4-6 week unit
Shepherds 2 people for each class (each one to do every other Sunday all year) No outside prep needed Duties can include:
WAYS to SIGN UP bulletin insert sheet on Children’s Ministry table by office call Deb Soderholm, 952-828-9515
Good News! Habitat is Back!!
Get Out your Tool Belts and Hard Hats! We are about to embark on a Habitat for Humanity Project. Our Social Action Team in conjunction with Eden Prairie Common Ground was recently notified of a building opportunity in Golden Valley. Our work dates will be the three weeks beginning September 13th. The location is just off of Highway 169 (9100 Naper Street). The project will be to cap the foundation of a twin home and frame it. We are looking for volunteers with all levels of building skills - from Project Leaders with building experience who can teach and direct others, to people who can pound nails or carry supplies. Other needs: volunteers to donate food, snacks, or beverages; organizational skills to set schedules and send reminders; site hosts to welcome and sign people in each day; funds and in-kind donations. Please check your schedules and wallets. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Drake Talbert, Vicki Lindquist, or any member of the Social Action Team. HFH has been struggling to find affordable lots in the Twin Cities, so we are excited to finally have a project. HFH builds on faith. EPUMC can, too!
EXTRA! EXTRA! YOUTH NEWS FOR SUMMER
Summer Stretch Activities for students entering 7th grade and up
Students, sign up on the youth board in the narthex. Parents, we desperately need your help driving and chaperoning for the events. Please call Bruce Webster at home @ 952/944-1967 or cell @ 612/590-5864 to sign up for the following:
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