Newsletter

10970 185th Street West ♦ Lakeville MN 55044 ♦ 952-435-5757 ♦ www.familyofchrist.com

2020

I do not know about you, but the post-Christmas world has been giving me several suggestions for how I

should live my life. Apparently, I need to go on a diet, join a gym, upgrade my vehicle, trade in my iPhone,

and get another Visa card! So, my prayers lately have been something along the lines of “Really God?

Because Christ came into the world, I need to give up Christmas cookies, get sweaty on a regular basis, and

arrange for more bills to come in the mail?” Somehow, I get the feeling that is not the message God has tried

to share with me and the rest of the world this winter.

During the darkness of winter time, we have been talking quite a bit in church about light. The season of

Advent, for example, was all about waiting for the light of hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ would bring

to the world, and Christmas was about celebrating the arrival of this light. This sort of light was like the light

of a candle: a soft glow penetrating the darkness of our lives. Now, during the season of Epiphany, we get to

explore another kind of light: like the light of a flashlight revealing what is hidden in shadows, we get to

embrace the light of Christ and see what Christ’s light reveals to us in our darkness and our lives today. Back

2000 years ago, when the Wise Ones journeyed to Bethlehem to see the baby born in a manger, the light of

Christ revealed three things to them about the life and significance of Jesus, symbolized in their gifts to him:

gold- an element representing kingship; frankincense- an incense representing the Divine; and myrrh-

an embalming oil representing death.

But again, that was Christ 2000 years ago. Who is Christ today? What does the light of Christ reveal to us

about who Jesus is and what he brings to ours lives? And how do we embrace Christ’s light? Therefore,

before we get too caught up in what the post-Christmas world wants us to do, I invite us to consider what

the coming of Christ means for us. I am willing to wager it means something different than pursuing

beach-ready bodies and shiny new trucks. What do you think?

Peace,

Pastor Megan

Messy Church Sunday, January 26 Friends of ALL ages, please join us for Messy Church: a hands-on faith experience

and an intergenerational way of being church that is active, creative, and fun! Come for music, story-telling, and activities followed by a potluck dinner.

All are welcome! January 26th, 4:30pm-6:30pm. Potluck food and monetary donations invited.

Questions? Contact Pastor Megan at pastormegan@familyofchrist.com.

From Our Intern Pastor…..

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Family of Christ

Annual Meeting

January 26th @ 10:45am

Join us as we celebrate the blessings and

challenges God has brought us through in

the last year and make decisions about the

future. All are encouraged to be at this

meeting and help us look at the direction

God is leading us.

Fill the Shelves - Support the Food Shelf

In the entryway to the church is a rack that is waiting

to be filled with food and feminine products. As we

continue our journey to impact our community, we

invite you to take a look at the list of items being

requested by our food shelf for people in our

community. Let’s together make a difference in the

lives of our neighbors.

Adult Ed January

What in the World? How does our faith impact the way we live our

lives? Sometimes we relegate what we believe

to Sunday mornings and a couple other events

each month, but can we begin to integrate

the two halves together. Join us as we take

a frank look at current events and what our

faith as a community and individuals may say

to these times.

Join us January 5th, 12th, and 19th

10:45am-11:30am in the conference room.

Feed My Starving Children South Metro Meal Pack 2020

Monday, January 27 – Saturday, February 1

Hosanna Church | Lakeville

Join the 7th Annual Feed My Starving Children South Metro Meal Pack! Hosanna Church in Lakeville will be

the 2020 host for this event which will gather 10,000 people from 20 different churches and the south metro

community to pack over 2 million life-saving meals for children around the globe.

2020 Budget Presentation

Join us on January 19th after worship if you are interested

in seeing the 2020 budget proposal. Our council finance

people will be available to answer any questions and

process any suggestions. We will meet in the front of

the sanctuary.

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Tanzania Update Thank you for your support of our Tanzania Ministries

Family of Christ continues to support our Tanzania Ministries. A total of $6500 in FOC scholarships was raised and will be awarded to Usokami secondary students for the 2020 school year. The FOC October noisy offering raised $835.25 for Iringa Hope. And $2,600 was raised for Medical Scholarships. Again, thank you for your on-going support of the Tanzania Ministries.

Men’s Breakfast

Connecting for the Future

Saturday, January 11th from 8:30am-9:30am

Join us for a time of egg bakes, baked goods,

and good conversation as we spend some time

looking at building our Men’s ministries and

gather to discuss some community projects.

All are welcome, come and bring a friend.

Soul Sisters Thanks Thanks to all who participated in the Women’s

Advent Luncheon. Thanks to your generosity we

were able to support 360 Communities with mittens

and hats and food to support families in Lakeville.

Special thanks to all those that hosted

and brought food for this event.

Book Club Thursday, January 23

7:00pm

We will be discussing My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Join us in the Fellowship Space at Family of Christ. Contact Sandy Soukup or the church office

with questions.

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• Special “Thanks” to all those that helped

with Advent and Christmas worship this

year. From the Holden Worship, to the

community band, to the Christmas Pageant,

to Christmas Eve Services, we have been

community together. Thank You!

• Special thanks for all your generosity in the

last year. Through your gifts of treasure,

time, and talent we have done amazing

things in God’s name. Come and Join us for

the annual meeting to see exactly what we

did.

• Special Thanks to Kristin Cuddigan and all

who helped with the Trinity Care Center

Christmas party. We celebrated with nearly

80 residents and their families. We also

were glad to have the Lakeville South

Women’s Basketball team as a part of this.

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Children, Youth, and Family Update Thank you for your continued prayers and support of our Children, Youth, and Family ministries. We are

blessed with so many people who have stepped forward in this continued time of transition.

Here are some of things that we would like to highlight:

1. More than 40 youth of all ages participated in the Christmas Program

2. We continue our search for a Children, Youth and Family Coordinator

3. Fourteen youth and adults will be heading to Chicago next summer for a mission trip

4. We will be starting a multigenerational “Messy Church” on January 26th

5. Sunday School starts up again on January 5th and Confirmation and Youth Group start up again on

January 22nd

Sunday School Calendar

January 5: Jesus the World

John 1:10-18

January 12: Jesus’ Baptism

Matthew 3:13-17

Kids Sing

January 19: No Classes

MLK Weekend

January 26: The Disciples

Matthew 4:12-23

Wednesday Night

Education Update

No classes January 1 , 8, and 15th

Confirmation and Youth Group will

resume on January 22nd and 29th.

New Hat & Mittens Drive December 1-January 31. Bring in

new hats, and waterproof gloves and

mittens to support those in need in

our community. Donations will go to

community 360 that serves local

individuals and families.

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FINANCIAL UPDATE

November 2019

Total income for the month was $25,749

Total expenses for the month was $32,488

YTD Given: $334,654 YTD Budgeted: $371,816 (as of November 30, 2019)

DECEMBER GIVING TO DATE

Date Attendance

Sunday

Giving

Electronic

Giving

GENERAL

FUND

12/01/2019 150 $2,648 $1,823 $4,471

12/08/2019 183 $5,423 $4,177 $9,540

12/15/2019 224 $1,736 $1,912 $3,648

12/22/2019 113 $3,617 $6,373 $9,990

“FoCus” is a monthly publication of Family of Christ Lutheran Church.

Please contact the church office to submit items

Family of Christ Lutheran Church is a member of the ELCA

Email us at: office@familyofchrist.com Visit us at: www.familyofchrist.com

Telephone: 952-435-5757 Office Hours: 9:00-3:30 Tues—Thurs

Closed Monday & Friday

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Family of Christ will be joining other churches in the South Metro to

be a part of Feed My Starving Children's Mobile Pack to make 2

Million meals from January 27-February 1st. We will need at least 75

volunteers over several shifts and hope to raise $1200 to feed 20 kids

for a year, that's 20,000 meals. Please be on the lookout for

volunteer and donation opportunities. We will have several

opportunities to sign up for shifts. This year’s Mobile Pack will be at

Hosanna Church in Lakeville .

Men's Bible Studies:

Join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings as

we come together for fellowship, food and a

chance to look at the scriptures and our lives.

—Tuesdays – 6:30 a.m. —Thursdays – 8:00 a.m.

Women’s Bible Study

Mon., January 6 at 10:00am

For more information contact

Linda Bartz or the church office at

office@familyofchrist.com.

Family of Christ Staff Ministry Team:

Lead Pastor: Pastor Brent Erler

Pastoral Intern : Megan Eide

Interim Children’s Minister: Cary Whittington

Musicians: Mary Wescott, Morgan Jones,

Laura Porter-Jones,

Jessica Christensen

Choir: Debra Capener

Administrative Asst: Linda Bauer

Custodian: Kelly Kritsberg

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January Family of Christ Servants

Please notify Linda at the church office if you make changes to the schedule. THANK YOU!!!

Sunday

01/05/20

AV Tech

Chris Flegel

Closer

Gerry WIlls

Communion

Servers

Sandy Soukup

Beth Wacholz

Gerry Wills

Annie Yolitz

Brian Yolitz

Communion Setup

Janet Delperdang

Fellowship

Angie Korsa

Kathy Olson

Greeters

Linda Bartz

Maury Bartz

Offering Count

Jim Schiprett

Gerry Wills

Opener

Lisa Cecchini

Reader

Kris Olsen

Ushers

Kris Olsen

Dave Olson

Sunday

01/12/20

AV Tech

Nathan Blilie

Closer

Lisa Cecchini

Communion

Servers

Carla Passon

Scott Passon

Betty Peterson

Chad Specht

Kirstin Specht

Communion Setup

Rhonda Arnold

Fellowship

Jenn Hatlestad

Betty Peterson

Greeters

Youth

Youth

Offering Count

Ryan Basballe

Lisa Cecchini

Opener

Gerry Wills

Reader

Youth

Ushers

Jim Korsa

2 Youth

Sunday

01/19/20

AV Tech

Ken Davidson

Closer

Chuck Halvorson

Communion

Servers

Kevin Hatlestad

Ed Hellier

Pete Nelson

Kris Smith

Communion Setup

Jean Bakken

Fellowship

Martha Johnson

Nancy Johnson

Greeters

Josi Hellier

Luke Hellier

Offering Count

Chuck Halvorson

Kevin Hatlestad

Opener

Reader

Emma Johnson

Ushers

Carla Passon

Scott Passon

Sunday

01/26/20

AV Tech

Kris Smith

Closer

Communion

Servers

Dan Benson

Lisa Cecchini

Becky Donner

Paul Donner

Communion Setup

Karen Agee

Fellowship

Karen Agee

Audrey Carlson

Greeters

Pete Nelson

Kris Olsen

Offering Count

Amie Hoffman

Duane Hoffman

Opener

Lisa Cecchini

Reader

Jim Korsa

Ushers

Betty Peterson

Marshall Peterson

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10970 185th Street West

Lakeville MN 55044

Dates to Remember January 1 - No Youth Classes

January 5 - Sunday Worship and Education

January 8 - No Youth Programs

January 12 – Sunday Worship and Education

January 15 - No Youth Programs

January 19 - Sunday Worship

January 22 - Confirmation/Youth Programs

January 26- Sunday Worship and Education

Annual Meeting

Messy Church

Vision Statement

Family of Christ seeks to be a

Grace filled family of God, living the

Gospel through faith, love and

compassion.

Our Core Values F-A-M-I-L-Y:

Faith

Acceptance

Meaningful relationships

Impact

Love

Youth