Young Adults in Global Mission

10606605_10154715397105564_906027865570179350_nThese 2 are called Chelsey and Nate Crary.  They’re kind of a big deal. They lived in Palestine last year through a program of the ELCA called Young Adults in Global Mission or YAGM.  That’s lots of initials in one sentence.  For more about the ELCA click here.  For more about YAGM click here.

Anyway, they came back to the states and got jobs in the school district here in Hutchinson and have been part of River of Hope. It was due time for them to share their experiences with River of Hope and so they did just that this last Sunday.  They gave us a brief history lesson of the area, which is pretty hard to do.  They did it.  Then they simply told us stories of life there through the people they met and lived with, through students they worked with, and through their daily lives. It broke my heart wide open in that painful and even beautiful way that Good News can.

Do you have questions for them?  Do you want to hear more?  You have 2 opportunities to join them in an informal setting to hear more about their lives and to ask questions:

This Sunday, (Oct 19), after worship at Madcake. Bring your lunch money and your questions.

OR

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 7pm at the VFW. (Once inside, go down the ramp to the door without the door bell.)

Road trip!

10571956_10154617014055564_6811781410996667390_oThe new ELCA church that is starting in Montrose has its first official worship service on Sunday, September 28! Many of you remember how it felt to have people from ELCA churches in the area show up. Let’s show up for House of Grace! We can meet at the Event Center at 4pm that day to figure out carpools and then hit the road for the 5:30 worship service in a Methodist church. (Sound familiar to any of you?)
Here’s the address:
United Methodist Church, 230 Center Ave, Montrose, MN.

Blessed

10355668_10152230987351008_7401614086171778277_oGenesis 12:1-9 (The Call of Abram and Sarai)

The song, Blessed, by Lucinda Williams was played as part of the prelude to worship today.  You can listen here. [Read more…]

Riverpalooza is this Sunday!

zellas-logoAh, it’s that time of year again!  Time to once again celebrate where we’ve been and where we’re headed.  We’ll dive into the Biblical story starting way back with Noah, the ark, and all that water.  We’ll welcome the newest folks who’ve jumped into River of Hope.  We’ll play Giant Jenga.  I supposed that’s GIANT JENGA, really.  River Team against River Team. It’ll be fun. We’ll clap and eat.  Eat. Did I mention we’re going to eat?

Yes! ZELLA’S is bringing us brunch.  You know, eggs and sausage and fresh fruit and pastry.  Any and all proceeds will go toward youth stuff: trips they’ll take in the summer; Bibles we give them.  You know, faith formation stuff.  So plan for $5 per person and $20 per family.  Thanks to Zella’s, Tiffany Haag and Blake Barnard for giving back in this generous and thoughtful way.

See you at 10:30 this Sunday, September 7.  I can hardly wait.