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Church Events

Feb. 1: Pew Removal, 8:30 am

Feb. 2: JAM Slam Sledding, 1 pm

Feb. 11: Meeting Night, 7 pm

Feb. 13: “On Call,” Men’s Group,

@Board Room,

Henderson, 7 pm

Feb. 17: Serendipity Circle, 7 pm

Feb. 18: Leadership Council

Meeting, 7 pm

Feb. 19: Camp Koronis Night at

JAM, 5:45 pm

Feb. 20: Newsletter deadline

Feb. 25: Rebekah Circle, 1:30 pm

Feb. 26: Ash Wednesday service,

7 pm

Lent Came Early

On a bitterly cold Sunday in Janu-

ary, 2020, Lent arrived.

Our sacred symbols were carried

off the altar during our last wor-

ship service before the remodel.

One by one, the symbols left—first the baptismal font, then two

large candles. After the scripture was read, the Bible on the com-

munion table was gently walked down the aisle, along with the ta-

blecloths, prayer journal, and flowers. But when I lifted the Christ

candle and cradled it in my hand, my heart began to pound. I slow-

ly moved the light of Christ down the aisle as we sang the hymn It Is

Well with My Soul.

It was bittersweet, watching the symbols being removed from the

space, but waiting for the day of resurrection and their return. It felt

as if we were beginning Lent before Lent itself was scheduled to

begin.

I sat in the bare sanctuary, unclothed for the first time since its crea-

tion. No more adornments, musical instruments, or even choir chairs.

Continued on page 2

Pastor Terri Horn

FEBRUARY 2020 NEWSLETTER

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LE SUEUR

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Continued from page 1 Yet, I was curiously moved by

what happened next. My eyes

saw only two things—the com-

munion table and the cross be-

hind it--the message of the Gos-

pel in its purest form.

As I sat there, I gasped. This was

the soul of the church, simple but

beautifully real. The cross towered

over the Table of Christ powered

by a resurrection.

It was beautifully simple and refreshingly honest.

I felt closer to Christ in this

moment than at any time

before. In its emptiness,

the fullness of Christ was

unyielding.

And it was peaceful.

Blessedly peaceful. The

simplicity of the Good

News met me in this

pared down space.

Before the symbols, there was only the table of Christ and

the story of resurrection. This was the message that wel-

comed the empty and filled their soul.

Lent came early this year, and it was well with my soul.

Friends, we are in a season of preparation that leads

through a crucifixion and ends with a resurrection. We will

return the symbols as they left, one by one, to bear witness

to this resurrected space. On that day, you and I will cele-

brate a new creation, within our hearts as well as this

space.

Lent came early

this year. Praise

God. A resurrec-

tion is ahead.

Pastor Terri

Lent Came Early

Vision

Opening doors to share God’s

grace

Mission

Go and make disciples to trans-

form the world

Faith Statement

We are a Christ-centered com-

munity, called to serve, where

you can come as you are, share

who you are,

and experience the power of

God’s love.

Values

Jesus First |Deeper Faith

Strong Community |Serve Others

Discover how the Spirit is

moving in our community

and upcoming ministries to

share with others.

Do you have a story or

upcoming ministry to share?

Send written articles to

info@lesueurumc.org

by the 21st.

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Missions Corner

Mission Offerings in February will benefit the Salvation Army Food For

Friends meals. Please put donations in a pew envelope and place it

in the Noisy Pig Offering collected by the children.

In March, we will be in charge of staffing the Le Sueur Food Shelf. You

can help by signing up for a shift (sign-up sheets coming mid-

February), or by giving money to the Mission Offering in March.

March is also Minnesota Food Share Month. Get those cans ready!

More details to come.

Capital Campaign Update

Thank you for your generous giving as we update our building to become more accessible and

inviting. To date, we have collected more than $370,000 of the $602,100 pledged.

Bridge financing for the Building Project is in place to proceed with the building renovation. The

next step will be to secure permits and sign the general contractor’s contract.

Volunteers needed pew removal on Saturday, February 1, 8:30 am.

Future building renovation opportunities: library wall demolition and partial disassembly of altar

platforms. Dates TBD. Please contact Dave Evans (612-702-2481/dnevans1953@gmail.com) to

help.

Contact Building Chairman Tyler Sunderman (tylersunderman@gmail.com) with questions about

the Building Renovation.

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Thank You Notes

Dear Reverend Horn,

I hope you had a rich, joyful, spiritually renewing Christmas. Being a former member of the church

a long time ago in another galaxy far, far away, I am always interested in what your (my) church

is doing.

The past couple of years I have become really excited about all that you are doing up there. The

church is growing, trying new things, and really supporting the young people in the community.

May the new year continue the exciting things you are all doing.

I am enclosing a donation. I know you can put it to good use. Keep the newsletters coming so

that I can continue to be a cheerleader for what you are doing.

Peace in Christ

Rev. Bradford H. Gran

I would like to thank:

Jim King, Roger Probst, Phyllis Aufderhar,

Sue Bienfang, Cheryl Edmondson,

Nyla Probst, Berry Purdy, Jan Weber and

Cheryl Wilke for all the help with the Photo

Directory.

It was greatly appreciated.

Thank You all again,

Pauline Liebhard

To the United Methodist Women’s Group:

Thank you for the candy and the goodies I got for

Christmas! I liked them very much!

Darlene Malz

I just want to thank the ladies from the United Method-

ist women for my gift bag of goodies. It was greatly ap-

preciated seeing as I can’t get to church when I can’t

drive anymore. Thank you again,

Pat Baringer

Thank you to the United Methodist Women for the bag

of Christmas snacks.

This was very meaningful to me.

Thanks again,

Elden Schwarz

I would like to thank you for the bag of

goodies that you gave me for

Christmas!

Mary Ann Baringer

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JAM Corner JAM (Jesus And Me)

Upcoming Events

February JAM Slam: Come sledding with us! Sunday, February 2, 1 pm- 3pm, Hen-

derson Hill. Email Lydia to carpool (youth@lesueurumc.org).

Camp Night at JAM: Play games, make smores, learn about camp,

and enjoy camp-style worship with Papa Dan from Camp Koronis! He'll

join us for Worship on Wednesday, February 19, during JAM.

Save the Date

Confirmation Retreat will be Friday and Saturday, March 6 & 7, for grades 7-9 and other students

age 12 and up who have not yet been confirmed. Email Lydia (youth@lesueurumc.org), or sign

up on our JAM page (https://www.lesueurumc.org/jam-jesus-and-me/ ).

VBS: Monday, July 12-Thursday, July 16, at LS UMC!

Mission Trip: July 26- August 1, for those who have completed grades 6-12.

JAM kids share their joy at Jesus And Me on Wednesday nights.

Join us for dinner at 5:45 pm. You are invited!

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Announcements

United Methodist Women (UMW)

Woolly Blessings: Like to knit/crotchet?

Your skills are needed to make hats, mittens, and scarves for local

schools, residents of Emma Norton House, and the Salvation Army.

All sizes are needed in any color or pattern.

Patterns and yarn can be picked up or donated in the basket in

the Gathering Area. Leave your finished product there. Email Mar-

go (bjork.margo@gmail.com) with questions.

The Lord’s Prayer

Meetup Group

Study the way Jesus taught us to pray at the Wednes-

day Meetup Group, Wednesdays, January 15– March 4,

6:40 pm, in the Tabor Room. You are invited!

Camp Night at JAM

Papa Dan from Camp Koronis will join us for Worship on

Wednesday, February 19, during JAM for smores,

games, and other camp activities.

Pew Removal

Volunteers needed for pew removal on Saturday, February 1, 8:30 am.

Future building renovation opportunities:

library wall demolition and partial disas-

sembly of altar platforms. Dates TBD.

Please contact Dave Evans (612-702-

2481/dnevans1953@gmail.com) to help.

Contact Building Chairman Tyler Sunderman

(tylersunderman@gmail.com) with questions

about the Building Renovation.