October tabletalk by Tabletalk

2013

, familyofchristonline.com

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’ Help Realize Christian’s Dream Back in April of 2008, Salvadoran artist and activist Christian Chavarria paid Family of Christ a very special visit. During the ten days he spent with us, he preached at our Sunday services, spoke to Spanish classes at Chaska High, and spent time at Bluff Creek Elementary. He was interviewed by a local reporter, toured Feed My Starving Children, enjoyed the hospitality of some of our families, and taught many of our kids how to paint crosses in his unique style. And somehow, with such a busy schedule, he still found time to paint us the beautiful cross that graces our sanctuary wall. It was – and still is – the largest cross he has ever painted! Now, five years later, we are blessed to welcome our friend Christian back to Minnesota. He is still an artist and activist, but now he is a pastor-evangelist as well. Hearing Pastor Christian speak is a life-changing experience. In our Lutheran Church around the world, Christian is a renowned inspirational speaker. The Lutheran Church helped save Christian’s life and the lives of thousands of other refugees during El Salvador’s civil war. The Church was so busy saving lives then that there was no time to build permanent buildings. As a teenager, he asked Bishop Medardo Gomez, “Why is the Lutheran Church sanctuary so ugly?” Bishop Gomez replied that he could not spend money on the building when people were starving. Christian replied, “Don’t worry. When I grow up, I will build a new church.” So far he has raised about $60,000 of the $150,000 or so needed to build a safe, functional church. In October, he is touring the U.S. to raise the balance. There are two great opportunities for us to meet Pr Christian on this visit. On Tuesday, Oct.15, he is speaking at Trinity Lutheran Church (2060 County Road 6, Long Lake, MN) at 7:00 PM. Then on Wednesday, Oct. 16, the first day of the MEA school break, Christian is at Family of Christ from 12-3 PM -- sharing his story with us over pizza and holding a cross-painting workshop for people of all ages and levels of painting experience (for more about this event, see page 4). You will not want to miss hearing Christian and seeing him work! If you have already met him, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, you’ll want to find out what the excitement is all about. Sowing Seeds of Hope We have another outstanding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people of El Salvador in October. On Sunday, Oct. 13 and 20, Mark and Janice Laven will display photos of the 380 students in our Seeds of Hope sponsorship program, making it easy for sponsors to renew our sponsorships, or for new sponsors to find a student to support. A gift of $125 makes all the difference for a child or teenager who wants to attend school, use their time productively, and improve their opportunities in life. $1,500 sends a high school graduate to university or trade school for one year. (Consider sharing that expense with members of your extended family or your workplace or neighborhood or Bible study.) Even though public school in El Salvador is “free”, the costs of uniforms, shoes, notebooks, and supplies keep many students from studying --- unless they are part of Seeds of Hope! God has blessed Semilla de Esperanza -- the U.S. sponsors, Salvadoran children and their families and communities – in countless ways. Please consider sowing even more Seeds of Hope to change this world (and your own hearts) for good! ¡Que Diós les bendiga!

~ Pastora Kristie

& Sunday Worship Worship Times Sunday worship is at 8:00, 9:15, & 10:45 AM. There is a staffed nursery from 9:00 AM—12:00 PM. Worship Volunteers Please click here to see when you are scheduled to help: http://tinyurl.com/lb7wx6b

Table of Contents Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 * An Afternoon with Pastor Christian Chavarria * Make a Difference Day Adult Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Study Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Town Hall Meetings Town Hall Meetings are the perfect place to meet with church council members, ask them questions about FoC, and offer them feedback. These meetings are generally held the first Sunday of each month, at 8:45 & 10:15 AM, during the school year (see familyofchristonline.com for exact dates). Next meeting: October 6. Bring your coffee & doughnut to the conference room for this informal meeting!

Community Events . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Church Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 News, Finances & More . . . . . . . . 8 How You Can Help . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Preschool & Children . . . . . . . . . 10 Confirmation & Beyond . . . . . . . 11 2014 Mission Trips . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Music Opportunities . . . . . 13 & 14

Newcomers’ Event Whether you’re brand new to Family of Christ or you’ve been around for a while, if you want to know more about us, come to the Newcomers’ Event on Sunday, October 13, 12:15-2:30 PM. Enjoy a light lunch in a casual social setting...meet other newcomers, church council leaders, pastors, & staff...tour the building & learn more about FoC...ask questions, theological & practical…explore ways to get connected. Professional childcare is provided for age 4 & younger (let us know if you need it for older children). You may let us know at that time if you’d like to join FoC. New members will be welcomed during worship on Oct. 27. Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 8, to Pam Schumacher ( pam@familyofchristonline.com ).

Meet the Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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All Are Welcome!

See our complete online calendar at http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6H2O9L6J4J4N8N8H2

An Afternoon with Christian Chavarria On Wednesday, Oct. 16, spend an afternoon with our friend Pastor Christian Chavarria from El Salvador. Pr Christian will be at FoC for lunch & to teach a class on painting miniature versions of the colorful sanctuary cross he painted for us. Pr Christian is here as part of his United States tour to raise funds to re-build Resurrection Lutheran Church in San Salvador. During El Salvador’s civil war, Resurrection became a national and international center for saving lives, and provided sanctuary for those in need. During the war, the church was damaged and is in great need of re-building. It is Pr Christian’s mission to see this church rebuilt.  

Come for lunch at 12:00 PM and hear some of Pr Christian’s story. From 1:00-3:00 PM, paint an 8” cross of your own with Pr Christian’s guidance. A suggested donation of $10/ person will be accepted.

Another Way to Help: Seeds of Hope Seeds of Hope is a student sponsorship program that directly benefits students in El Salvador. Although the government pays for schooling, many families cannot afford to buy shoes, books, supplies, and transportation to school. To receive a sponsorship, the student must attend school, show satisfactory progress, and attend church regularly. The sponsorship cost is $125 for a K-12 student for the school year, which begins in January. The cost to sponsor a university student is $1500 per year, which pays for tuition, books, and transportation. Most students complete university in 4-6 years. This year, our goal is to sponsor an additional 12 students at the university level. To reach this goal, we ask sponsors to prayerfully consider sponsoring a university student, either fully or partially. October 13 & 20 are Seeds of Hope Sundays at FoC. Mark and Janice Laven will be available to provide more information. Please consider participating in this important ministry to make a difference for children in El Salvador.

Make a Difference Day Saturday, November 2, is Make a Difference Day, and we invite individuals, families, & groups to join our Christos & confirmation students in making a difference in the life of someone in need. Serve at Feed My Starving Children, bake cookies for the annual cookie walk, rake leaves — opportunities to help are limited only by your own imagination! Watch for organized opportunities in the coming weeks, or come up with a project of your own. For further info, to share ideas, OR to suggest someone you know who needs help this fall (cleaning, raking, window washing, etc.) please contact Leann Thompson at leann@familyofchristonline.com .

Make a Difference Day Donation Drop On Make a Difference Day, Nov. 2, bring items you’d like to recycle to the FoC parking lot. We’ll accept electronics, eyeglasses (for Lions to distribute worldwide), pop cans (for FoC mission trips), broken china & pottery (for a J-Term mosaic project), cell phones & chargers (for women’s shelters).

Classes Sunday mornings • Ongoing: Bible Dive — A Sunday School Class for Adults Sundays • 9:15-10:15 AM We meet on Sundays to dive deeper into the Bible texts used in worship that day. Feel free to join us at any time. Facilitated by Randy Ruckdashel, Bible Dive meets in the conference room throughout the school year.

Monday evenings • October: Revelations About Revelation: “Revelation, Faith and the End” Mondays, Oct. 14, 21, & 28 • 7:00-9:00 PM • at Family of Christ FoC is hosting a Luther Seminary Lay School Bible Study via remote web access. Sessions are live, so we’re able to submit our questions. Entitled “Revelation, Faith and the End,” the course is led by Eric Barreto, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Luther. Here is the professor’s description of the class: Revelation is a difficult book to read. With powerful and often disturbing images, John leads us into a world of comfort and hope in the midst of persecution—but also fear and trepidation as the very foundations of the world are shaken. Making matters even more difficult are the various ways Christians have read this book. Is Revelation a precise sketch of the last days, a word of relief to early Christians no longer relevant to us, or something in between? For far too long, many Christians have avoided this last book of the Bible, but we shouldn't. In Revelation, we learn that God is ever faithful and that God's love knows no end. Eric Barreto

Join us Monday evenings for a great class, facilitated by Randy Ruckdashel. Though there is no set cost for us, we receive a freewill offering to defray the cost of registering, course materials, and attending the session.

Wednesday evenings • Ongoing: Manna & Mercy! God Gives Freedom and Faith, for Life Wednesdays • 6:00-7:30 PM Manna and Mercy is a paraphrase of the entire Bible, built around the twin themes of food sharing & forgiveness. Open to all, this course is on Wednesday evenings to make it easy for parents with children in Christos and/or confirmation to attend, but it’s open to everyone. Sessions led by Pr Kristie & Randy Ruckdashel. Course books (available in church office) are $10.

See our complete online calendar at http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6H2O9L6J4J4N8N8H2

& Women’s Study Groups You’re invited to join one of our women’s study groups. This is a summary of the groups, along with the name of the person to contact if you have questions or would like to join. Additional information, including study content and start dates, is available at the Women’s Ministry display in the narthex. Book Study Group Monday afternoons • meet twice per month • 4:00 PM Usual meeting place: The Bistro in Chanhassen Contact Kris Spangrud: kris@familyofchristonline.com

Making Connections Our updated booklet entitled “Making Disciples, Making Connections” is available in the narthex. It lists more opportunities for study, learning, & discussion.

Bible/Book Study Groups Monday evenings • meet twice per month • 7:00 PM We meet at rotating locations Contact Tracy Sudak: tracy.sudak@embarqmail.com Tuesday afternoons • meet weekly • 1:30 PM We meet in the conference room at church Contact: Tracy Woods: tjwoods82@hotmail.com Friday mornings • meet weekly • 9:30 AM We meet at Family of Christ Contact: Leann Thompson, leann@familyofchristonline.com

In Our Community Free! Resiliency Events for Women + Come hear Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide and a resilient woman of faith. Dr. Henry Emmons, M.D., leading resiliency expert and author of The Chemistry of Joy and The Chemistry of Calm, will open each evening. Two opportunities to participate: Saturday, Nov. 16, 6:30-8PM, at West Campus of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church (7150 Rolling Acres Road, Victoria) Sunday, Nov. 17, 6:30-8PM, at the Mt. Olivet Minneapolis Campus (5025 Knox Ave. So.) The events are free but tickets are required. Pr Kristie has a few. Contact her to get yours.

“Living & Growing Through Loss” Through the Southwest Grief Coalition, area churches (including FoC) work together to provide support & information for adults & children who are grieving. Three 7-week series are offered during the school year. There is no cost to participate and church affiliation is not required. The fall session begins Thursday, Oct. 24 at Eden Prairie United Methodist Church (15050 Scenic Heights Road). Light supper is at 5:30, a presentation at 6:00, & break-out groups from 6:30-7:30. The speaker that night is Dianna Diers, a therapist at the Center for Grief, Loss & Transition. Her subject is “The Labyrinth of God.” Brochures are on the kiosk in the narthex and at www.familyofchristonline.com Pr Kristie will attend many of the sessions; contact her with your questions and/or to get a ride (952-934-5659 ext. 12 or kristie@familyofchristonline.com ).

Men’s Group October Fest Saturday, October 5 • 5:00 PM Men of the church, join Family of Christ Men’s Group, The Spartans (even if you aren’t a member), for fellowship, feasting, & frolicking! We’ll BBQ brats & burgers & enjoy beverages! Last year’s highlight was Randy Ruckdashel's Spud Guns. Who knew you could launch a potato that far?! For men who haven’t come to Men's Group because Saturday is your only morning to sleep in, we welcome you to our late afternoon gathering! Contact: Kelly Lynk: m_lynk@hotmail.com ; 612432-7998. Sacred Seasons Wine & Beer Tasting Event Saturday, October 26 5:00-7:00 PM Dolce Vita Wine Shop, Chaska Proceeds from this fundraising event help Sacred Seasons committee beautify our worship space. Ticket price ($15/person) includes 6 wine tastings, 2 beer tastings, & light appetizers. This is a very casual evening — drop in as your schedule permits. At 6:00, special guest Pr Nate Castens talks about the role wine plays in the Bible. Tickets go on sale Sept. 29 at the Fall Festival.

We Want Your Address! FoC periodically sends care packages & letters to our young adults. Go to www.tinyurl.com/focyam & fill out the online form. Even if you’ve given your address to us before, do so again so we’re current!

Tot Luck (For familes with young children) New group for casual conversation geared towards bringing young families with small children together. Make new friends, give some advice, get a sympathetic ear, all while the kids play or watch a movie! Bring your kids’ favorite dish to share with the group. We’ll meet in the Family Room on Oct. 6, Nov. 3, & Dec. 1, all directly after the third service. Contact: Jessica Gensmer at jessica@familyofchristonline.com or 612-483-5843. Ladies’ Night Out Ladies’ Night Meet other women from the church & enjoy pleasant conversation in a relaxed setting. We might even take in a movie (we’ll decide that night). Our first two meetings are Friday, Oct. 11, 6:30 PM, at Growing together in faith through the seasons of life Axel’s in Chan & Monday, Nov. 11, 6:30 PM, at School II Bistro & Wine Bar in Chan . RSVP to Pam Schumacher: pam@familyofchristonlnie.com ; 952-454-4457. Fall Yoga Professional yoga instructor Kim Motschenbacher continues her popular yoga classes on Thursday evenings. At 6:00 is “Gentle Yoga,” a class for anyone new to yoga, or any yogi who enjoys a well-rounded class with lots of stretching! At 7:00 is “Flow Yoga,” a slightly more advanced class. It has a faster pace, to get our heart rates slightly elevated as we enjoy old & new poses. Dates for the classes are October 3, 10, 24, and November 7, 14, & 21. Cost: $15.00/drop-in class (payable to Kim Motschenbacher). If you have any questions, please contact Kim: johnandkimmotch@gmail.com J-Term We are planning classes and content for J-Term 2014 and would love your input! If you have a fun idea for a special interest class or presenter, or have a special skill that you’d like to share, please contact Leann Thompson, Director of Faith Formation, at leann@familyofchristonline.com

See our complete online calendar at http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6H2O9L6J4J4N8N8H2

2014 Mission Trips Is there a faith trip in your future? Learn more about the 2014 summer mission trips to Arkansas, South Dakota, and El Salvador in the narthex at Q&A tables all morning on Mission Trip Thank You Sunday, Oct. 13. PLUS: No-obligation exploratory interest meetings are scheduled for:  Our next FoC international spiritual pilgrimage for adults – Tues., Oct. 29, 6:30 in conference room  A mission trip for young adults (college and post-college age) – Thursday, Jan. 2, 5 PM in youth room

For info about 2014 mission trips and retreats, see page 11.

Questions? Contact Pr Kristie, 952-934-5659 ext. 12 or kristie@familyofchristonline.com

Financial Update How are we doing this year with our church finances? The church council, lay leaders, and staff members have done a very good job of keeping our expenses a little lower than expected so far this year, but that has been especially important because our offerings have been coming in at a lower rate than expected too. We are currently behind by $16,000 or so, yet we are hopeful that in this final quarter of the year, we can have good strong responses in stewardship to end our year on a high note. We do thank the congregation for the generosity and gifts you have been able to share. In November, we will have a chance to hear the invitation to keep being good stewards as we make pledges for 2014, to be presented on Celebration Sunday, Nov. 24.

Nursery Caregiver Needed We are looking to add a primary nursery caregiver to our team. Work approximately two Sunday mornings/month (9 AM-noon), and at additional special events that fit your schedule. Must be 18 years old and have up-to-date CPR/First Aid training. If interested, or you have questions, please contact Leann Thompson: leann@familyofchristonline.com

Simply Giving An easy way to stay up-to-date on your donation is to enroll in Simply Giving, a program through which you make automatic online payments to Family of Christ. To enroll in Simply Giving, contact our finance staff member, Kris Spangrud: 952-934-5659; kris@familyofchristonline.com

Thank You

Volunteer Opportunities

The CIA (Christians in Action) committee has posted some of the thank-yous which we receive from the ministries we support. Please see the bulletin board by the kitchen and learn more about how Family of Christ provides funds and support for other ministries. And check the volunteer opportunities listed to the right to find a place where you can be a Christian in action in a hurting world.

Feed My Starving Children Help end starvation in children around the world by packing meals at FMSC. Family of Christ has committed to working on Wednesday October 16, 9:30-11:30 AM. No need to sign up. Just show up at 18732 Lake Dr E, Chan.Be part of a fun team that’s making a difference! If you have questions, contact Ron & Elaine Larson at lars710@mediacombb.net Future dates are 11/20 & 12/18.

CIA...a ministry of sharing time, talent, and treasure with people locally & around the world.

Seeds of Hope Please see page 4 for information about this important & life-changing sponsorship program.

Worship Volunteers Thank you for helping our worship services run smoothly. Please click here to see when you are scheduled to help: http://tinyurl.com/lb7wx6b If you aren’t volunteering, but would like to, contact Pam Schumacher: pam@familyofchristonline.com

Our Saviour’s Shelter On Friday, Oct. 18, Family of Christ members serve a meal at Our Saviour’s, a shelter for homeless men & women in Minneapolis. For this CIA-sponsored activity we need people to make food (residents love our home-cooked meals), serve, or both. A sign-up sheet is on the CIA bulletin board near the kitchen. Label your food (& the container) "Our Saviour’s," & bring to church by 5:45 PM on the 18th. If serving, be at church by 5:45 to carpool. Questions? Elaine Larson: 952-442-2881; lars710@mediacombb.net All-Church Musical The performance is a few months off, but the preparations are already underway! We hope to put together several costume teams this year to handle smaller portions of the process. If you’re interested in helping in this or any other area contact project managers Leann Thompson ( leann@familyofchristonline.com ) or Julie Dosdall ( juliedosdall@gmail.com ). We need people with sewing skills, organizational skills, &, above all, enthusiasm! Help is also needed in the area of set/stage/props. It’s a fun, fabulous way to get involved! Bingo! Family of Christ hosts a bingo party for special-needs residents from Bethesda Community Living in Victoria on Saturday, November 2, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. For this CIA-sponsored event, we need small prizes, small bottles of water, & volunteers to help host. Pizza is provided by Lutheran Social Services. A signup sheet will be on the bulletin board near the kitchen. Questions? Contact Elaine Larson at 952-442-2881; lars710@mediacombb.net

Donations Needed Fall Coat Drive for Caring & Sharing Hands Sorting through winter coats & jackets? If there are some you no longer need, please donate them to our fall coat drive. We’re collecting clean, wearable coats & jackets in all sizes, for men & women, with a special need for large sizes & teen apparel. Please bring them to church by Wednesday, October 16.

See our complete online calendar at http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6H2O9L6J4J4N8N8H2

& Family of Christ Preschool Godspeed, Miss Kim We’d like to give a great big thank-you to Kim Schaeferle for her work at FoC Preschool over the past 3 years. She’s been an important part of our preschool team, and we wish her all the best as she begins her new career in sales & marketing. Thank you, Kim!

Fall Fun

Important Dates: * October 3 – Field trip to Minnetonka Apple Orchard for the Monkey, Frog, & Bumblebee classes * October 16-18 — MEA — No preschool classes * October 24 — Daddy & Me Fall Festival, 6:00-7:30 PM * October 30-31 — Fall classroom parties Preschool Classes FoC Preschool offers classes for 2-, 3-, 4-, & 5-year-olds, an afternoon enrichment program for 4- & 5-year-olds, and an optional Lunch Bunch and Stay & Play for afternoon care. For more information or a tour, contact Susan Schmidt: preschool@familyofchristonline.com ; 952-380-9838.

This month, we venture to Minnetonka Apple Orchards to learn a brief history of the orchard and to find out what it takes to grow apple trees. Then we board a tractor-pulled hay wagon for a tour of the orchard!

Our program strives to help each child develop self awareness & self esteem through positive recognition, reinforcement, & successful play. We wish to instill curiosity in our children by providing materials, activities, & opportunities that allow for growth, learning, & readiness for the future. We still have openings in some of our classes. If you’re interested in a preschool which is faith-based, positive, safe, nurturing, and fun , please contact Susan Schmidt.

Children’s Ministry Sunday School Important Dates * October 13 — Sunday school children sing in worship; Drama in Sunday school on “The Ten Commandments” * October 20 — MEA break: No Sunday school

Christos Important Dates * October 2 — First day of regular classes for Christos * October 16 — MEA break: No Wednesday evening activities

Become a Youth Reader or Acolyte Youth readers (3rd grade and older) usually read one lesson and the sending prayer. Acolytes (5th grade and older) serve in pairs to help light candles prior to worship, help with communion, & occasionally help with special activities such as children’s sermons. Contact leann@familyofchristonline.com

Looking Ahead: 

November 2: Make a Difference Day: Christos kids meet at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen at 11:30 AM. We’ll work for 2 hours, then enjoy “Jumping Craziness” at Jump and Jam. Watch for details.  November 24: Sunday school kids sing during worship.  November 27: Thanksgiving break — No Wednesday evening activities

& Post High School Hey, college-aged folks: We want your addresses! Several times a year, Family of Christ sends care packages and letters to our young adults. Please go to www.tinyurl.com/focyam and fill out the online form with your address. If you have previously given us your address, please give it to us again so we can make sure we have the most up-to-date way to reach you.

High School Service Opportunities Each week, October-December, a small group of high-schoolers will have the opportunity to take part in a service project in the Twin Cities area. For more info, contact Lindsey ( lindsey@familyofchristonline.com ) or Leann ( leann@familyofchristonline.com ). Parents, we need adults to help as drivers and chaperones. Please contact us if you can volunteer. Check Family News, Twitter, and www.familyofchristonline.com for details.

Confirmation Important Dates  October 2: 6:30-8:00 PM  October 9: 6:30-8:00 PM  October 16: No Wednesday activities — MEA break  October 23: 6:30-8:00 PM  October 30: 6:30-8:00 PM Still need to register? Forms & additional info about confirmation may be found at http://familyofchristonline.com/youth/confirmation.html Check out the info on page 4 regarding an exciting adult education opportunity on Wednesday evenings: Manna and Mercy! Questions? Contact leann@familyofchristonline.com

High School Bagels and Bible Study October 13 & 27 Meet in the Youth Room at 10:15 AM on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month to enjoy an Einstein Bros Bagel, conversation about that Sunday’s scripture, and hanging out with your FoC buds. What Now? 2013-2014 dates: Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 12, April 2, and May 14 This monthly small group for high school seniors starts October 2. Led by Dean Brown, this small group meets the 1st Wednesday of each month from 8:00-9:00 PM for pizza, pop, and conversations about life and how to transition out of high school. New: Faith Group (for 10th-12th graders) 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month • 4:00-5:30 PM Learn how to grow in your spirituality and connect more deeply with God in your daily life. Led by Megan Woods, this group begins October 5. Watch Family News, Facebook ( http://tinyurl.com/lnkyqtw ), or Twitter ( https://twitter.com/FoCYouth ) for more info to come about small groups and regular service opportunities.

For info about next year’s middle- & high-school mission trips & retreats, see page 11.

See our complete online calendar at http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6H2O9L6J4J4N8N8H2

2014 Middle School Youthworks Martin, South Dakota • July 27-August 3 Martin offers a warm mix of a small town South Dakota community with Native American heritage. Martin boasts a Native American population of nearly 50%. Martin is the county seat of Bennett County, in which about 35% of the population lives below the poverty line – nearly three times more than the South Dakota state average. Spend the week leading Kids’ Club and working on home improvement projects. At the end of the week, visit popular tourist sites around Rapid City. Registration and payment information will be available October 13. Contact Lindsey Ruhland with questions ( lindsey@familyofchristonline.com ).

Mission Trip Sunday is October 13 Hear & share stories in worship about 2013 trips, find info about and register for 2014 trips!

NEW! The Soul Sisterhood Retreat July 6-10 • South Fork Farm • Lester Prairie, Minnesota For girls who have completed 6th-8th grade. Spend a week on an all-girl adventure! The Soul Sisterhood retreat inspires young women to learn new skills, discover new passions, make new friends, and build confidence through trying and creating — all in a Christ-centered, supportive environment. For more information, check out www.thesoulsisterhood.com or talk to Lindsey Ruhland. Registration starts October 13. Limited number of spots available, so sign up ASAP!

High School Heifer Ranch, Perryville • Arkansas July 26-August 3 (tentative) Heifer’s Alternative Mission Trips combine experiential learning, team building, and service activities. Participants experience the challenges of living with hunger and poverty. They develop a deeper understanding of the complications that hunger and poverty present, and become inspired to create change that brings possibility and hope to the world. The program is a great educational tool that teaches about the value of giving your service to others. The week will end with a fun sightseeing activity in or near Little Rock. Registration and payment information will be available beginning October 13. Contact Lindsey Ruhland with questions ( lindsey@familyofchristonline.com ).

College & Adult El Salvador ● July 2014 Learn how the legacy of the civil war impacts the building of peace in today’s El Salvador. Enjoy amazing hospitality, participate in a work project, and meet your sponsored student! Qualified participants will have completed their junior year in high school AND been on a previous mission trip. This is for college students and other adults, too. For more information, contact Pr Kristie, kristie@familyofchristonline.com ; 952-934-5659, ext.12

Vocal & Instrumental

Guitarists Needed Do you play guitar? Jessica needs you! We need a few more strummy folks for PFH and ROJ. An acoustic and an electric guitar at each service is ideal. Skill level doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be high, just an ability to read chord charts. Jessica will help you with anything beyond that. Please consider trying your hand at one of our awesome music groups!

Praise Unlimited An awesome group for 3rd-5th graders! We practice on Wednesdays, 5:30-5:55 PM, sing songs during Sunday worship about 4 times throughout the year, and also do some outreach in the community. Lux Aeterna A super cool music group for 6th-8th graders! We practice on Wednesdays, 6:00-6:25 PM, sing in church roughly one time/ month and will also do some community outreach. EPIC! A music band for high school students. We practice every other Wednesday night at 8:00 PM (after confirmation), and lead worship in church the 4th Sunday of each month at 10:45. PFH (Praise for Him) A musical group for adults (16 or older). We lead worship in church for the 9:15 and 10:45 AM services the first Sunday of the month. Our practices are on the Tuesday night (7:00 PM) and the Saturday morning (9:00 AM) before we sing. We are dedicated to incorporating current, edgy contemporary music into the morningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worship. ROJ (River of Joy) A music group for adults (16 or older) that leads worship in church for the 9:15 and 10:45 services on the third Sunday of the month. We practice the Tuesday night (7:00 PM) and the Saturday morning (9:00 AM) before we perform. Our team is a solid group who loves to do slightly difficult arrangements of contemporary Christian music, while still being accessible to help the congregation join in singing. For more information on any of the above music groups, contact Jessica Gensmer ( jessica@familyofchristonline.com ; 612-483-5843). We are always looking for more people and would love to help you find your musical place here at FoC!

See our complete online calendar at http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6H2O9L6J4J4N8N8H2

Family of Christ Singers Directed by Ron Larson & Mary Renz, we sing at the 9:15 worship service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. FoC Singers rehearse on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:00 PM, always starting & ending on time. Questions? Contact Mary ( mrfluteloops@gmail.com ) or Ron ( lars710@mediacombb.net ). Exsoultation This is a new music group, directed by Andrea Jeitz. Playing contemporary music, we rehearse the first two Saturdays of the month at 11:45 AM, and play for the 10:45 worship service on the second Sunday of the month. Please contact Andrea ( andreajeitz@yahoo.com ) with your questions.

Instrumental Groups Whether you play a string, woodwind, or brass instrument, FoC has an opportunity for you. Mary Renz is coordinating instrumentalists to play once per month at the 8:00 and 9:15 AM worship services. If you play a string, woodwind, or brass instrument, there is a place for you in one (or more) of our instrumental groups. To find out more, contact Mary. Chamber Players This group of instrumentalists plays during worship periodically throughout the year. All skill levels are welcome. Brass Ensemble If you play a brass instrument, please consider joining this fun group which plays occasionally during the school year. This fall, we rehearse on Saturday, October 26, 10:30 AM, and play Sunday, October 27, during 8:00 & 9:15 worship. Questions about the above instrumental opportunities? Contact Mary Renz: mrfluteloops@gmail.com Bell Choir New! A 3-octave set of handbells has been loaned to FoC for the upcoming school year. A set like this is valued at around $10,000, so this is a great opportunity for us to venture into a new area of music for free. We have a volunteer director, too (Lynn Miller), so all we need now is YOU! We rehearse on Thursdays, 8:00-9:00 PM, & play one Sunday per month. If you can’t commit for the full year, still come to a rehearsal and we‘ll work out a time frame that can include you. See the sign-up sheet on the music room door. Contact Lynn Miller ( lynnmillerhandbells@gmail.com ) with questions.

Praise the Lord in Song! All Family of Christ music groups are open to everyone. Interested in one? Just come to a scheduled rehearsal! Rehearsals are listed on our website calendar at http://tinyurl.com/mf6vm6z If you have questions, feel free to contact the specific group’s listed director.

Senior Pastor Josh Nelson 952-934-5659, ext. 13 josh@familyofchristonline.com

Pastor Kristie Hennig 952-934-5659, ext. 12 kristie@familyofchristonline.com

Leann Thompson Director of Faith Formation 952-934-5659, ext. 24 leann@familyofchristonline.com

Lindsey Ruhland Minister to Youth & Families 952-934-5659, ext. 30 lindsey@familyofchristonline.com

Teri Burns Minister to Children & Families 952-934-5659, ext. 21 teri@familyofchristonline.com

Pam Schumacher Connections Coordinator 952-934-5659, ext. 29 pam@familyofchristonline.com

Jessica Gensmer Director of Worship & Music 952-934-5659, ext. 23 jessica@familyofchristonline.com

Susan Schmidt Family of Christ Preschool Director 952-380-9838 preschool@familyofchristonline.com

Kris Spangrud Finance 952-934-5659, ext. 18 kris@familyofchristonline.com

Marilyn Syverson Church Administrator 952-934-5659, ext. 10 marilyn@familyofchristonline.com

Jolene Satre Communications/Website 952-934-5659, ext. 11 jolene@familyofchristonline.com

Greg Provo Custodian 952-934-5659, ext. 26 greg@familyofchristonline.com

See our complete online calendar at http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6H2O9L6J4J4N8N8H2