Church Calendar of events
Volunteer Schedule
 

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From Doug Rosendahl, CLP
History reveals that Saint Augustine, while now acknowledged to be one of the greatest saints, did not discover
the Lord until he had wandered for many years and tried many different religions. Finally, as he says in his book, it was
through the prayers of his mother that he was converted to Christianity and went on to become the great bishop,
theologian, and defender of the Faith. Augustine experienced conversion in this life, a change that came over time as he
grew in the realization of God's call in his life.
When most people think, of conversion, certain images and ideas come to mind. Most, I suspect, associate
conversion with the transformation many experience in finding God. There was the dramatic conversion of Saint Paul
on the road to Damascus, an event many cite as the essence of religious conversion. However, conversion is a much
broader concept than simply its application to religion, most times it is a process that is ongoing, rather than one
dramatic experience. We must apply the need and methods of conversion to the multiple aspects of our daily lives.
What in our lives needs to be converted? First and foremost, the attitudes and opinions we possess and express
in word and action need conversion. Life experiences and numerous influences train us to think in specified ways, but
we must all admit that our attitudes towards ideas, institutions, and most importantly people are not always God-
centered. We sometimes are selfish and hold attitudes and express opinions that benefit ourselves and those special to
us, often to the detriment others.
Relationships are another important common area of life that need our conversion. Often people carry old hurts
and grudges, thinking that holding on to this pain will in some way punish those who inflicted it. As psychologists tell us
it is only a matter of time that these thoughts will weigh us down and affect us more than them. It will probably take time
but we need to be converted the sure belief that the only way to progress in the Christian life is to let go of the past and
move forward.
Habits are a third area that might need conversion in our life. Whether we do something that is personally
harmful, or participate in patterns of life annoy or are distasteful to others, we need to be converted. As with most
conversions, change of this nature will not be effected overnight, but the process of change is itself part of the benefit of
conversion.
Conversion must be a daily event in which we participate. We need to be converted in heart, mind and spirit to a
greater understanding of our role in God's master plan, but we cannot gain insight without seeking daily conversion. We
are provided numerous opportunities to be converted, but sometimes ignore the opportunity even when it is place
directly before us. Other times we run away, not willing to do what may be expected of us to change. And then there are
the times we tell ourselves that we do not need to change.
We must see the need to make the most of life, despite the hurtful and problematic situation that sometimes
arise. We need to re-commit ourselves to Christ, confident that the Lord knows what he is doing and will provide the
path and sustenance we need for the journey. We must learn that conversion will not be easy, but rather is a process
filled with many obstacles and roadblocks.
We must start some place and time; why not start today? See you at worship in church where we can all work

WINONA VOLUNTEER SERVICES
WVS, a local service organization that our church
supports financially, is in need of volunteers.
The new building that houses the Food Shelf, offices
and class areas has made more space available for food
and household supplies. The clothes shop has expanded
increasing the space available for clothes The
expansion creates the need for additional help.
They need: in the Clothes Shop - people to sort
clothing — opportunities open are mornings and
afternoons Monday -Friday.
In the Food Shelf- people to assist shoppers, stock
coolers and other general tasks - opportunities are Wed
mornings and Thursday/Friday afternoons
With Home Delivered Meals - 5 routes are open -
opportunities are Tues., Wed., Thurs. and every other
Fri. Time involved is 10:30 — 1 1:30 or noon one day a
week. Volunteers who will serve as substitutes for
Meal delivery are also needed.
Training will be provided for all positions
Call Sontha "Sam" at 452-5591. ext. 14

Prairie Mission?
The M and S Committee is considering
possible ways to use our church lot for mission.
Because our focus value for the year has been care of
creation, we were wondering if there was something
we could do with landscaping that would be
environmentally friendly (probably native plantings),
and also a bit of a showcase of our values for people
driving by. We wondered if there was a way that we
could get people involved in it that would also be a
mission.. .(perhaps in the way that the Women's
Resource Center sponsors the children's garden project
on the Redeemer Lutheran garden space; that is, there
may be people out there who would like to get their
hands dirty, but have no dirt of their own to do it in).
We are looking for ideas and resources. Perhaps you
or someone you know would be good at designing
something for us (for free!). We think we would have
to start really small to make sure things were
manageable. What would look good and where?
Perhaps you know a group of people who need to get
their hands dirty and could suggest a mission focus for
us. Let an M and S person know your ideas and
suggestions. How can we use the church yard for
God's glory?

BOO ~ Book Of Order Study
W-I.OOOO The Dynamics of Christian Worship
W-1.1005 Christian Response to God in Community
a. From the beginning God created women and
men to community and called a people into covenant.
Jesus called, commissioned, and promised to be present
to a people gathered in his name. The Holy Spirit calls,
gathers, orders, and empowers the new community of the
covenant. To each member, that Spirit gives gifts for
building up the body of Christ and for equipping it for the
work of ministry. A Christian's personal response to
God is in community.
Response in Worship and Service
b. The people of God respond with words and
deeds of praise and thanksgiving in acts of prayer,
proclamation, remembrance, and offering. In the name
of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Christian
community worships and serves God
(1) in shared experiences of life
(2) in personal discipleship
(3) in mutual ministry, and
(4) in common ministry in the world.

Summer Worship 9:30 a.m.
Begins May 27, Memorial Day
through Sept. 2, Labor Day

To the members of Grace Church - thank you for
the honor of being included with Carlis Anderson
and Dan Barr when a music scholarship was given,
in our names, to Gretchen Papenpuss. It has been a
great experience to work with Carlis, Dan and the
choir to bring meaningful music to our worship
services.
Dorothy Gilbertson

Spring Quarter Attendance
The 2007 Spring Quarter (March - May) attendance was an
average of 30 people in Sunday School each Sunday. This
includes ages 0 - adult. We hope this great attendance
continues in the fall. Please bring someone new with you!!
 

Operation Christmas Child
This year our VBS and whole church mission project will
have a more personal touch. Each family that wants to
participate takes a shoebox and list of instructions to fill the
shoebox. A stack of these will be located in the Fellowship
Hall. The cost for mailing is $7 / box, so one family may want
to fill the box and another family pay the shipping cost.
Labeled boxes are due back to the church by late October. The
C.E. Committee will be sure to get them to the collection center
on time. Think about how many children we can make happy
who would normally not receive a Christmas gift. Thank you
for your help in this mission project!

Vacation Bible School
The Fisherman's Story VBS on June 24-27 is still to be
held. As of this newsletter deadline, there are eight children
signed up to attend. A review of the four days plus the fifth day
of the fishing event will be in the August newsletter.
 

Fall Quarter Teachers are Wanted!
Please call or talk to a member of the Christian Education
Committee if you would be willing to teach fall quarter
(September - November, 2007). The following classes are
open: nursery, ages 3-K, grades 1-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-12,
adult and parenting. We have excellent curriculum that reduces
your preparation time. Please give us a call!!
 

Letters to a Pastor
Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody, but He never
met my sister. Yours sincerely. Amold. Age 8, Nashville.
Dear Pastor, Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson
has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Sincerely,
Pete. Age 9, Phoenix
Dear Pastor, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate,
but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could
you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love, Patty.
Age 10, New Haven

Notes from the Worship Committee
We are pleased to announce that we have hired a
nursery attendant. Ashley Oldham will be ajunior at
Winona State University. She is majoring in
education-early childhood and K.-6. Please welcome
Ashley to our church family.

CONCERNS
Paul Rennells had an emergency appendectomy June
15 and is recuperating at his parent's home. Get well
soon, Paul.
Remember to keep Del & Debbie Braaksma in your
prayers for their work in South Bor, Tambura,
Yambio and Yei Sudan as they seek to bring about
reconciliation with inter-ethnic groups.
 

SPECIAL OFFERING
Pentecost offering total is $253.25. Forty percent of
that, or $101.30, will be sent to the Children's
Garden Project at Redeemer Lutheran Church,
sponsored by the Women's Resource Center. The
other 60% will be used by General Assembly to help
children at risk and youth and young people.
The PW Birthday Offering total is $138.
Thank you for your continuing support ofMission
projects.

PER CAPITA
We are halfway through the church financial year
and hope those who have not yet paid their per
capita, $23.90 per communicant member, will pay
their share soon. We need your cooperation so we do
not have to take money from the general budget to

 CIRCLE II will meet in Fellowship Hal] at 1:30
p.m. on July 11 °'. Visitors are always welcome. We are
learning about Jonah and Ruth for All They're Worth.