APRIL 2014

Oof! Mary bumped into a man, tripped, and fell at his feet. Wait! She knew those feet. A familiar hand reached out to help her. Wait! She knew that hand. She looked up. Yes, she knew that smile. It was Jesus! Hello, friends! Jesus said. Jesus was really alive! The women hugged his feet and shouted with joy. Go tell the others the good news that I am alive, Jesus said. I will meet them in Galilee. I cant wait to see them again! The women had a new job to do! They had to tell everyone Jesus was alive! This is how the Spark Story Bible describes the story of the empty tomb and the Easter morning, the tale of when Mary was met by angels instead of Jesus body. I always keep a childrens Bible nearby, loving the words and images they use to enliven the story for children. I love the exclamation points and the Oof! If Mary had been a child in my house growing up, she might have been scolded, Watch where you are going! I imagine her being in such a hurry, in such a rush to tell the disciples what she had found, that she was staring at the ground instead of what was in front of her. Mary bumped into a man, tripped, and fell at his feet. Oof! Mary fell down and realized she knew the feet next to her. Feet are such an ordinary thing. Most of us probably dont think twice about our feet any day, except to maybe think about what pair of shoes we will wear to cover them. Could you identify someone by seeing only their feet? Maybe you could. Maybe there would be some defining characteristic by which to identify. Mary was able to identify Jesus by his feet in this childrens version of the gospel. Jesus feet had a defining characteristic scars. Then there is this, from the same event, in the gospel of Matthew: Suddenly Jesus met them and said, Greetings! And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Feet again. The women took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Jesus feet - moving feet! - in front of Mary and the other women proved to them what the angels had said that Jesus was no longer dead but had been raised. The scars remained, a reminder of what had happened, but the feet were no longer in the tomb. The feet of Jesus met Mary on the road, gathered his disciples at Galilee, and walked alongside friends on the way to Emmaus. After being greeted by the risen Christ, after recognizing his feet, the women had a new job to do! They had to tell everyone Jesus was alive! Suddenly, the womens feet had a new task. The womens feet were charged to carry them to the disciples, to share the news of Jesus resurrection. The womens feet were to lead them across the land, telling that Jesus was no longer dead but had been raised. As the women are given this commission, so are we. Whether were wearing flip-flops or sneakers, our feet (and our voices and our hands and our whole bodies) have a job to do. And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:15) The empty tomb, the feet of Jesus, calls us out into the world, to get on our feet and to share the good news of Christ. Happy feet and happy Easter season! Pastor Lindsay

Red Oak Grove Council Meeting March 10, 2014

The meeting was called to order by Gary Ulland. Opening devotions were led by Pastor Lindsay from Matthew 15:32 feeding the crowd and discussed food share. Breakout sessions for Deacons, Trustees and Executive team. Pastors Report: Food challenge with other area churches. Bible Study going on throughout the Lenten season. Two Ash Wednesday services, Confirmation is having a fun event, Diane Maxwell has agreed to serve on the Prairie Manor Board. Two funerals were conducted, two Prairie Manor visits, two pre-marital meetings, five hospital visits and ten other visits. Secretarys Report was accepted as presented. Treasurers Report was accepted as presented. WELCA Report: Karen Johnson reported the group donated a quilt for the Education Foundation. Deacons Report: Dean Christianson said that he is setting up a schedule for Sunday readers. Marilyn Ulland reported that Sunday School was working on the Lords Prayer and they may set up a parent meeting. Trustees Report: They checked out the fans and filters in the restrooms and they are making repairs and painting the restrooms. Discussion about helping people in and out of church, especially at funerals, as people may not be familiar with locations inside the church. Maybe a Circle could help or others could be available. Old Business: The elevator phone has been located and Scott Wagaman is going to help get this up and going. No definite plans have been made for the Amy (Christianson) Kamp Benefit, possibly a breakfast in May. Dennis shared information about a video system and passed out some additional brochures, the cost would vary but $1,500 would be a good estimate. New Business: A motion was made, seconded and passed to join the Blooming Prairie Chamber at a cost of $40. They provide a local schedule of events and may be able to help reach out to other people in the area. Meeting was adjourned and we closed with the Lords Prayer. Attending: Gary Ulland, Marilyn Ulland, Dean Peterson, Bob Kittelson, Dean Christianson, Scott Basness, Bill Maxwell, Dennis Magnuson, Ardell Swenson, Karen Johnson, Angie Wagaman, Pastor Lindsay and Laura Tjomsland. Respectfully submitted, Laura Tjomsland, Council Secretary

WELCA Report for March 2, 1014

10:15 a.m. the Red Oak Grove WELCA met in the Fellowship Room. It was a temperature of -16 and only 11 were present. The meeting was called to order by President Karen Johnson. The purpose was read. No devotions given. The Secretarys Report was read by Linda and approved Lavonne presented the Treasurers Report and it was approved. Committee reports were given Prairie Manor: Ardell reminded everyone that their Auxiliary meetings are the last Monday of the month and encouraged anyone to come. Also needed coffee servers for March. Joyce Peterson will help with March 9th and Linda Christianson will take March 30th. Correspondence: Letter from Good Earth Village watch for a new look for the quilt auction this year. Thank you from Chicago WELCA for $80, BP Schools for mittens for long cold winter and Marilyn Blume for the Christmas gift. Quilting: Will begin March 24th and run for 6 weeks. Please join us for an opportunity of service and fellowship. The 2 quilts that were donated to the Boys and Girls Club Auction were well received. The large one brought $84 and was bought by Le Mar Nelsons daughter. Not sure on the price of the small one. A motion was made and seconded to donate a quilt to the BP Education Foundation Auction for March 29th. The last two Lenten suppers were taken by families for April 2nd and April 9th. The dining area is looking for high chairs or booster chairs. If you have one to donate please bring it to the kitchen basement area. The womens bathroom near the Fellowship Room is in need of repair and remodeling. Council will pay for and fix ceiling. The cooler in the basement has been repaired. The picture on the south wall in the basement was given by Virginia Davis in memory of George and painted by Sandy Jones of Blooming Prairie. Our next WELCA meeting will be held on April 6th at 10:15 a.m. Please try to come to stay informed of what the women of Red Oak Grove are doing. Submitted by Linda L. Christianson

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Thank you for all your prayers, food brought to the house, cards and memorials. Thank you to Rebekah Circle for serving the funeral and to all who helped in anyway. Thanks to Pastor Lindsay for her words of comfort. Kristina, thank you for all your help too. It was all appreciated so much by our family. Marilyn Helleck, Marcine Nelson, Marcia Wiese, Michelle Carlson and Marsue Anderson

The Annual Meeting of the Red Oak Grove Cemetery will be held on Saturday, April 5th at 1:00 p.m. at the church. All are welcome to attend.

Pastoral Acts: Funeral Myron Luther Helleck March 6th

Easter lilies are now available for purchase for $10. Please sign up in the narthex or call the office. Money can be given to Lavonne Smith or Marilyn Ulland. Deadline for signup is Wednesday, April 9th.

Keep bringing in those goodies for our local food shelves! The challenge to collect 500 bags [1 bag = 10 items or $5] within the Blooming Prairie community has been extended through Palm Sunday. At the time of printing, Red Oak Grove has collected 31 bags for the community challenge! Thank you!

Its that time again! Pictorial directory photos will be taken at Red Oak Grove on April 29, 30, and May 2 from 2:00-9pm, and again on Saturday, May 3 from 9:00-3:30. A sign up is in the narthex at this time. Not in church? Call the church office to sign up. By participating, you will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a completed directory. Your participation is appreciated! Thank you!

HOP the ROG Frog

Its been a long winter. I dont have to tell you that. You know, when it gets cold, I cant move or hop like I do in the summer. My whole body slows down and I just need to rest until it warms up. [Trust me, more than once Ive considered wintering in the south like my frog pal, Keith. He knows whats up.] As I get stuck in hibernation mode, you know what I enjoy most? Signs of spring. Signs that flowers bloom. Things like the flowers on the altar every Sunday. When you come to church, have you noticed how magically there are new, brillant, beautiful flowers each Sunday? As I sit around, half in hibernation mode, I see the magic happen. Holly Ille, Marilyn Ulland, and Verna Magnuson make sure there are flowers there each week. They bring signs of spring and growth and creation into the worship space. And Im so thankful they do. Five hops for them! [Actually, I cant hop right now because Im hibernating and all. Can you hop and thank them for me?]

Attention all FOURTH and FIFTH graders! We are holding a First Communion Class for you at Red Oak Grove! Join us on Friday, April 4th, from 5:30-9 and again on Friday, April 11th [with your families], from 5:30-7:30 as we learn about the bread and wine we eat and drink in worship. Together, you will take your first communion at the Maundy Thursday service on Thursday, April 17th. We hope you can join us to learn about this gift! If you havent signed up, contact the church office. Hey Sunday School kids! We really like seeing you at church and hope youll come the next couple weeks as we practice to sing on Palm Sunday! We REALLY hope to see you on Palm Sunday! Join us in worship youll be a part of the service by waving palms and singing! Then, after church, join us for Easter activities during the Sunday School hour! Confirmation youth: Because of the many Wednesdays we could not meet due to snow and icky weather, we will be having a MAKE-UP CONFIRMATION LESSON on Sunday, April 6th following worship. We will meet in the youth room from 10:30 11:15. Please plan to be there!

Holy Week and Easter Schedule for Red Oak Grove April 13th Palm Sunday Worship at 9 a.m. Children will be singing April 17th Maundy Thursday Worship at 7 p.m. with Communion First Communion for 4th and 5th graders April 18th - Noon Good Friday Service at First Lutheran April 20th Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. with Communion 7:15-8:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast 9 a.m. Easter Worship with Communion NO Sunday School