EXTREME SUNDAY MAKEOVER

Last fall, in the spirit of Odyssey 2010 - Building a Sending Church, the ministry staff did a self-evaluation called KROI. KROI being Kingdom Return On Investment.  We prayed, talked, discerned and asked ourselves;

• What are the main things that we should be doing in God's Kingdom?
• What are things we should quit?
• What are things we should start?
• What are things we should hand off?, etc. 

One of the big pieces of the conversation was that the whole is always more important than the parts.  There are a lot of exciting things going on at Central but to what degree are these connected to the body.  Worship is the primary event where the whole family comes together.

At the beginning the year, the eight person ministry staff came to a strong consensus that the body of Christ would be most healthy if Sunday morning at Central was all about worship.  We are of "one mind" that Sunday morning at Central needs an extreme makeover!

Some of our present habits, traditions and patterns of behavior are not helping build the body.  Each one of us feels that the body of Christ would be better served and much healthier if the main thing on Sunday is worship. So what does this mean for our life together at Central?

On Monday, March 5 and Saturday, March 10, I shared this vision with the Church Council and the Odyssey 2010 Leadership team. This Sunday evening many members of Central's body will come together to discuss and discern God's preference for our life together on Sunday morning.  We are calling it an Extreme Sunday Makeover.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit will have freedom to lead and guide us in this important aspect of Odyssey 2010!

These are exciting times at Central and each day we want to live in the spirit of Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness..." I hope to see you Sunday morning and evening.

Paul Johansson, Senior Pastor
paul.johansson@clcelkriver.org

Lent Worship Schedule
12:00 Noon - Worship Service (Soup Lunch to follow)
6:15 pm - Worship Service (Soup served with McCs meal)
7:00 pm - Intergenerational Education Opportunities (below)

A Weekend to Remember
March 30 - April 1 at the Marriott City Center
Marriage is defined by memories. In the early years are memories of passion and anticipation. Later come unexpected events, challenges and disappointments. The events of life will lead either to memories of joy and fulfillment or pain and heartbreak. So much depends on the most important relationship in your life.
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Maunday Thursday, April 5
12:00 Noon & 7:00 PM

Good Friday, April 6
12:00 - Childrens Program &
7:00 - Tenebrae Service

Easter Sunday, April 8
6:30 AM - Sunrise Service
8:00, 9:00 - Traditional Worship Celebration
10:00, 11:00 - Non-traditional Worship Celebration

Minnesota Teen Challenge Choir
Sunday, April 15 - 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 services
Minnesota Teen Challenge (MnTC) is one of the largest residential drug and alcohol programs in the state of Minnesota. They serve teens and adults from all ethnic, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Come and hear their stories of how Jesus Christ is changing their lives from the inside-out.

Spring Alpha
Beginning Sunday, April 15
Everyone is welcome on an Alpha course and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Alpha is a ten-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity with loads of opportunity for debate and discussion. The style of Alpha is informal, friendly and non-pressured.
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Men
Men's Morning Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:30 am - Otsego Cafe
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Men's Basketball
Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the FLC

Quest for Authentic Manhood
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
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Tuesday Men's Prayer
Tuesdays at 6:30 am in the Sanctuary

Men’s Boundary Waters Trip Meeting
Tuesday, April 17, 8:00 - 9:00 pm
Planning meeting for the Men’s Boundary Waters trip June 14-18. We’ll meet to talk about equipment, routes, costs, and menus. This trip is a great opportunity for beginners or more experienced canoers.
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Adult Education
Simply Christian
Beginning Wednesday, April 18 from 7-8:00 p.m  Not since C.S. Lewis’s classic summary of the faith, Mere Christianity, has such a wise and thorough scholar taken the time to explain to anyone who wants to know what Christianity really is and how it is practiced.  In his book, Simply Christian, N.T. Wright walks the reader through the Christian faith step by step and question by question.  Wright challenges skeptics by offering explanations for even the toughest doubt-filled dilemmas, leaving believers with a reason for renewed faith.

Crossways - “The Preexilic and Exilic Prophets”
Sunday, April 15 at 9:30 am
Tuesday, April 17 at 11:00 am
A ten week course of the prophets; thus says the Lord! Sign up in the Welcome Book or at the Welcome Center.

Youth (High School)
Confirmation - Lent Time Change
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Yuth Room
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Didaskalot (Bible Study)
Sundays at 9:30 am with Curt Hinkle
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Sunday Night Live
MONDAY, March 26, 7:01 p.m. – SNL Idol
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JLO (Junior Leader Orientation)
For high school Juniors interested in serving middle schoolers through WyldLife, The Studio, etc. Contact Curt Hinkle or Ryan Braley for more information.

Crooked Creek Ranch - Summer High School Camp
July 21-29, Crooked Creek Ranch in Colorado
$595 (Register by April 1, $50 discount)
On-line registration and payment available

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Youth (Middle School)
WyldLife
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the FLC
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The Studio - Returns March 28
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Road to Real
Sundays at 9:30 - 10:30 am in Room 211 with Tom-Pete and Ryan
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Journey Groups
Sunday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 pm.   If you’re not in a Journey Group and want to be, contact Ryan Braley.
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Food, Facts & Fun (Tutoring)
Wednesdays from 3:00 - 6:00 pm
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Castaway Club - Summer Middle School Camp
June 24-28, Castaway Club near Detroit Lakes - $375 (Register by April 1, $50 discount)
On-line registration and payment available

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Children
SPLASH! Information Meeting
Monday, March 26 in the Yüth Room from 8-9:00 p.m. 
We are going to begin developing a program for families with little one(s) that are under three years old.  So much research shows us that the most growth that occurs in a person’s development happens before the age of three.  The name “SPLASH” refers to families raising their children “wet”, constantly aware of their baptism into God’s family. 

Story Time Central (Ages 3-5)
Monday, April 2 - "Easter Story Eggs" from 10:00-11:00 am or 6:30. - 7:30 pm
Come make a special set of eggs that will help tell the story of what happened during Holy week. (Bring an egg carton for your eggs) Sign up on line, by calling Central Lutheran Church Office at 441-2363 , or stop by the Welcome Center.
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Monday, April 16 - "A Seed is a Promise" from 10:00-11:00 am or 6:30. - 7:30 pm
We'll be planting seeds and learning about how God created things to recreate themselves.
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Women
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Monday, April 9 from 6:45 – 9:00 pm
Join us for a speaker on a mom-relevant topic, discussion and fellowship with other moms of young children, and a craft. The next meetings will be April 23 and May 7. Call Kirsten 441-4538 or Anita 241-8735 for more information.

Puttin’ on the Glitz - Women’s Night Out
Central women are encouraged to invite their friends and coworkers to the annual Women’s Night Out, Thursday, April 12, 6:30 PM, at Rockwoods in Otsego. The theme this year is “Puttin on the Glitz” so grab your rhinestones and purchase your tickets in the church office. The cost is $30 and includes a dinner (choice of salmon, chicken or pasta), doorprizes, and a program of locally produced talent! This event is usually a sell out so hurry in to the office today!

Small Group Studies
In April three groups will be studying "The God to Whom We Pray" using the study found in Lutheran Women Today (LWT). Two groups will meet Tuesday, April 10. Mary will meet at 9:00 am, in Rooms 210-211, Georgene Genck, hostess. Sarah will meet at Elaine Hageman's home at 7:30 pm. These study groups are open to all women. The third group will meet Thursday, April 12, 9:00 am, Room 205, Judy Ensrud, hostess. Extra copies of LWT are available in the office.  
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Jesus the One and Only
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
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Friday Night Crafts & Fellowship
April 13, 6-10 pm, rooms 210-211.
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Semi Silent Retreat
March 30-31
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Caring
GriefShare
Saturdays at 8:00 am in the Lounge. GriefShare takes participants through the grief process.
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DivorceCare
Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Room 126.
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Special Children, Special Parents
March 27 at 7:00 p.m
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Befriender Ministry
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Hiding, Hurting, Healing
Beginning April 26, Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:00 pm in the Youth Room
Last fall we introduced the Hiding, Hurting, Healing ministry for women in difficult relationships. This spring we will be offering a follow-up program called "OUT OF THE SHADOWS", a program for women when life hurts. Out of the Shadows will meet for eight weeks and will consist of personal testimonies, videos, assignments and solid biblical teachings.
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Out of the Shadows
Beginning Thursday, April 26, from 6:30 - 9:00 in the Youth Room.
A program for women when life hurts - running eight weeks.
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Seniors
AARP Tax Aide  
Tax preparation service is available to taxpayers with middle and low income with special attention to those age 60 and older.  Please note that taxpayers with complex tax returns will be advised to seek professional tax assistance.  The Tax-Aide will be available each Wednesday at Central until April 12. Marv Ziner and Joan Lewis are AARP volunteers.  Tax forms will be E-filed.

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Missions
Mission Extravaganza is now MORE!
Missions Offer Rewarding Experiences
Come see all the ways you can join in! Kick off March 25 - Soapy Sunday. Bring a bar or more of wrapped soap to fill the Big Soap Bar.

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Thank You
The quilters of Central wish to thank the Sherburne County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for the $200.00 to purchase fabric for our quilting projects. We donate our quilts to Lutheran World Relief, Global Health Ministries, Camp Onamia and others.

We also would like to thank the members and friends of Central for donations of sheets, fabric and thread and a BIG thank you to all who assemble the quilts and for those who sew at home. Questions about this ministry may be directed to Marilyn Webber.

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Church Spring Cleaning
Saturday, April 14.  We will start the day with breakfast in the Family Life Center at 8 a.m. and begin the sprucing up of the church and church grounds following breakfast.

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Community Thanksgiving Meal - Meeting
Friday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the FLC
We will brainstorm and plan for the 2007 Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Central. For more information, contact Jennifer Sundt at maddyjax@msn.com or Kristen Norby at eknorby@charter.net.     

The Real Journey
...for the Jamaica Team begins April 1 as we “Make Jesus Known” to the children of Robin’s Nest.  This past week we found out the roof at the Nest is in need of desperate repair and this will be our project.  Central can surely relate to dripping water and the need for roof repair!  The difference is the roof in Jamaica is part of their water collection system and without it their water supply becomes    depleted.  If you haven’t had an opportunity to support this mission, any dollars received this week will be dedicated to the ROOF REPAIR PROJECT.  We are so grateful for your financial gifts, diapers, wipes, peanut butter, school supplies and participation in our fundraising events during the past three months.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIVING HEARTS AND HAVE A BLESSED EASTER.   

McC's Update
McC's will continue serving meals every Wednesday night from 5:00-6:15 pm through the summer. Currently, our funds have been depleted and any gift of money to support this ministry would be greatly appreciated. We feed approximately 100 youth every week who are unable to pay. Please note on your contribution - McC's. Thank you for supporting this ministry.