Author: Kim Arens

The Voice of Hope

Welcoming, Worshipping, Serving
March 2021

Holy Week 2021
Sunday, March 28 @ 9:00am– Palm Sunday
Thursday, April 1 @ 6:30pm– Maundy Thursday
Friday, April 2 @ 6:30pm– Good Friday
Saturday, April 3 @ 6:30pm– Easter Vigil

Easter
Services
Sunday,
April 4th
-9:00am
-10:30am
In-person, online,
access channel and in our parking lot
(contact us for parking
reservations)

“When Jesus saw their faith…” Mark 2:5
This is one of my favorite verses in all of scripture and yet at the same time it haunts me.
Hello people of Hope, Pastor Matt Cordes, I’m hoping to give you a bit more of me, of what drives me, a bit more of my story per say. The above verse taken from the Gospel of Mark, has been a very powerful word in my life. We often speak about faith. I spend a great deal of time preparing to preach a sermon. I spend a great deal of time writing about faith. In fact, as I sit at my desk this moment, I am doing just that, I am writing about faith. Heck, we even spend a great deal of time singing about faith. And while all of that is good stuff (it really is), Jesus’ words speak to something totally different. Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you saw faith? We don’t say that, or even think about that very often. Apparently, Jesus thinks that faith is something to be seen. Not just believed or talked about, or written about, or sung about. Jesus says that faith can be seen.
So why does this verse haunt me? Because if Jesus were to follow me around for a week, would He see faith? Or would He just hear or read about it? You see faith is something that should move us, lead us to think differently, act differently, do differently. Faith is to affect every aspect of our lives and move us, literally move us. Like, get us out of our chair and move us to action. So, the question is; if my faith doesn’t move me, if one can’t see it, is it really any faith at all?

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”– Charlie Chaplin

March 2021

2

Creating space
I wouldn’t say I was void of church growing up. I did go. Every Wednesday I went to Religious Release, one year I was Catholic, another Lutheran and the next, Methodist. I’m really not sure if it was about church or a “get out of school free” card. After graduation, I joined the Army. Every Sunday I went to church, it was either that or clean the barracks. Later in life, I didn’t really have a “reason” to go to church. Honestly; it’s not that I shunned it, I just never really thought about church. Oh, I talked to God, and I prayed. You know, things like “Really God” and “God, please let it be okay”, or even “Thank God it worked out!” And then, I had babies! These tiny beautiful little miracles. Life was bigger than me. Bigger than having a husband, a family or even friends. I still didn’t go to church, not right away. But, my conversations with God changed. “God, I know you are with me and I know I will be okay,” and “God, this isn’t what we expected or hoped for, I’m not feeling very strong right now.”
We moved a lot, being in the military. After, we moved some more. We eventually settled close to family. I’m not sure what brought me to church. I do know that it wasn’t a “get out of... free card.” Perhaps I
was ready for the next step with my relationship with God. It was no longer just about having conversations WITH God but also ABOUT God, with other people. This is good and it has been missing. It’s strange, sometimes you don’t realize what’s been missing until you live it.
I wasn’t sure how to finish this, on what I was trying to convey, until this morning when Pastor Matt shared his Daily Dose of Hope 3.1. We invite God in, but have we made space for him. Thanks, Pastor Matt. Wow!! Pause for thought, how often do we invite others in, and it’s okay...but when we create space for them, for God, it’s amazing! Have you created space? Do you allow for others to create space within you?
Julie Rose, Vice President
Hope Council

“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”– Dale Carnegie

March 2021

3

Ash
Wednesday

We had our own drive thru Ash Wednesday and a great Ash Wednesday evening service.

Thank you to Kay Graftaas for all of the masks! We love them and so do our kiddos!

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”– Dalai Lama

March 2021

4

Youth—Wendy Hjelmberg And Sara Nichols

Communion Classes!
2nd and 3rd graders
March 9th— 5:30pm
March 16th—5:30pm

Our Spring Schedule is as follows:
March:
3rd: No Class (Optional Worship Lent Week 2)
9th: Creedal Communion Class (2nd & 3rd graders)
10th: 6:30-7:30 (Worship: Lent Week 3)
16th: Creedal Communion Class (2nd & 3rd graders)
17th: 6:30-7:30 (Worship: Lent Week 4)
24th: 6:30-7:30 (Worship: Lent Week 5)
31st: (No Class or Worship - Holy Week)
Holy Week: (No class on Wednesday, March 31)
1st: 6:30 (Maundy Thursday Service)
2nd: 6:30 (Good Friday Service)
3rd: 6:30 (Saturday Easter Vigil)
4th: 9:00am (Easter Sunday Worship)
April:
7th: 6:30-8:30 (Worship & Class)
14th: 6:30-8:30 (Worship & Class)
21st: 6:30-8:30 (Worship & Class)
28th: 6:30-8:30 (Worship & Class: Last Day!)

“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don’t know the answer.”– Douglas Adams

March 2021

5

Thank-you
Mary Carlson!
She has been here almost everyday sorting and organizing our second basement. Lots of STUFF!!
Amazing job! There is a floor in there!!
Thank you!!

The Sixth graders are not able to help out at the nursing home this year due to COVID, so they help out here by washing the dishes after snack.

They also cut out
Valentines for our younger kids to decorate for the nursing home and assisted living residents.

“Hate the sin, love the sinner.”― Mahatma Gandhi

March 2021

6

Every week Monday-Friday one of these lovely people share a daily devotional called “Daily Dose of Hope” on our Facebook page.
Lots of “nuggets”- baby Lola, dogs, jammies, music, crisp winter air, love and soup!
Thank you for the daily “feel goods!”

Lee with the story
behind the hymns.

Pastor Matt and his
granddaughter Lola.

Wendy in her jammies.

Sara our youth assistant dog sitting.

Terry with his soup!

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”– Abraham Lincoln

March 2021

7

A member of a church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.'
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's a Relationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's Guidance!
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death--that's Testing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me -----that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies------that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil -----that's Consecration!
My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life----that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -----that's Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!
Face it, God loves you!
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton

March 2021

8

Prayer Concerns
Braxton Battaglia -granddaughter of Dave & Judy Paulson
Pam Dragseth -friend of Carma Coon
Scott Besser
Carol Liupakka
Steve Storebo - son of Rolly & Imy Johnson
Ken Dahlberg
Roy Evgen
Lyle Almquist
Tom Garcia– brother of Kay Graftaas

Mary Carlson 1
John Peura 1
Haley Pietz 1
Bette Skelton 1
Doug Skelton 1
Candy Gamst 2
Kelly Goeb 2
Ike Miller 2
Matthew Borchardt 3
Sharon Goetzinger 3
Beverly Manty 3
Alicia Miller 3
Anne Linkart-Korhonen 4
Maren Mesojedec 4
Eric Nielsen 5
Audene Anderson 6
Gloria Johnson 6
Hillary Peterson 8
Val Rogosheske 8
Dawn Marie Schatz 8
Gwen Leaf 11
Delaney Danelski 13
Randy Booker 14
Barb Michalski 15
Paige Nordstrom 17
Britta Cadotte 18
Lacey Jurek 18
DeAhnna Nordstrom 18
Peyton Nordstrom 18
India Johnson 19
Kristoffer Ludvigsen 19
Sara Nichols 19
Keith Carlson 22
Gil Gamst 22
Patricia Mooney 22
Blaine Rudebeck 22
Cathy Troskey 22
Ron Zuk 23
Shanna Dahlberg 24
Janet Deering 24
Gordon Overland Sr. 24
Richard Dee 25
Raymond Graftaas 25
Gail Lundgren 25
Shelby Cadotte 26
Marvin Schuerman 27
Ted Shaw 28
Sandy Kenney 29
Jon Lower 29
Ken Halverson 30
Ken Dahlberg 31
Dyann Hendrickson 31

Besides those named on this page, please remember those not named suffering from chronic pain, or any other physical or mental issues. Especially remember those from our church family in assisted living or nursing homes, though not listed above unless health conditions deteriorate. They are: Lyle and Patti Almquist, Jan Ecklund, Carol Carlson, Helen Maltby, Annette Dahlmeier, Andi Carlson, Mary Lu Carlson, and Punky and Bette Weske. Pray for those that are homebound: Gordy Paulson. There are also many who prefer not to be listed individually, but have requested private prayers.

Military Service
Brian Erola Joey Whited
Robert Dedrowski Jeremy Hill
Daniel Conley Jeremy Johnson
Anthony Mandt Scott Eckman
Jason Johnson Gage Mohelsky
Mike Tolerico Alexis Babcock
John Kachinske Danny Whited

Bruce & Bev Manty 1
Rob & Julie Rose 6
Wayne and Pat Olson 13
Jeff & Lisa Danelski 28
Ray & Donna Arnold 29

God warms his hands at man's heart when he prays. — John Masefield

March 2021

9

Happy March! This means spring is right around the corner!
Every week I try to call a special member of our congregation, just to check in. This week when I called her I got to hear a wonderful story, I wanted to share it with all of you.
It had been a few
weeks since
I had
gotten
ahold of
her, but
this week
we connected!
She told me
about her
grandson who is getting
transferred up to Duluth for his
job. Both her and her daughter
are ecstatic. He will be closer
to family!
For the last couple of weeks
she has been going down to his
house in North Branch with her daughter to help get the home
ready for sale. They had plans
on redoing a bathroom and
tearing up carpet, just to give
the place an update.
Out of the blue, her grandson gets a call from the realtor who sold him the house in the first place. He was calling to see if he would ever be interested in selling his house! The grandson told him yes, as a matter of fact he was planning on putting it on the market this spring so he can move to Duluth.
It turns out the realtor had a buyer who was interested in his house. They came and looked at it then offered $20,000 more than he was plan ning on list ing it for!
So, no renovations or updates needed, no showings, no haggling between realtors just a clear open path to Duluth and family!
He gets to move up in his position at work, be closer to family and no headache of selling a home.
Sometimes that Holy Spirit just pops in and makes a difference!

From the Office

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

March 2021

10

Hope Lutheran Church
204 Elm Avenue
PO Box 422
Moose Lake, MN 55767

NON—PROFIT
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 44
Moose Lake, MN

Address Service requested

Worship Schedule
*Sundays 9:00 am—
Online/Cable/Drive-in our parking lot
www.hopeofmooselake.com
hopelutheran204@msn.com
218-485-4673

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

2021

Registrations for Covid-19 vaccines are currently being offered for those 65 and older at the following locations in Moose Lake: Thrifty White (218)485-4401 Essentia Health (218)485-4481
Gateway Family Health Clinic- their preference for Covid-19 vaccine registration is by using their website: www.gatewayclinic.com. Click on the menu bar located on the upper right corner of the screen, scroll down to “Covid Vaccine Request” for the registration process. If you do not have access to a computer, they will accept phone requests at the scheduling desk at (218)485-4491.

Save the Date!
July 26-30, 2021!!

Day Camp-Preschool