Odyssey 2010 and "I have no idea where I am going"

Where are we going? Where is Odyssey 2010 leading us?

Prayer is the key to Odyssey 2010. We believe we have discerned God's dream for Central BUT as we move forward we have to be grounded in prayer. As I mentioned last week Joshua reminds us "you have not passed this way before." So we pray! And we pray! What do we pray? I am grateful for this prayer from Thomas Merton;

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I will do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

We know that left to ourselves, like a child testing limits, we prefer our will to God's will. Sometimes it is a rebel inside and other times it is a nice subtle voice that leads us away from God's will. Or worse, I do what I want and pretend it is what God would want. "Woe to my rebellious children who carry out a plan that is not mine." (Isaiah 30:1) Someone once said, "If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans."

To get into God's will, I need to be converted - not in a sense of responding to an altar call, but in the ongoing, daily, hourly prayer for God to bend my desire away from me and back to toward God: "Not my will, but your will." (Matthew 26:39) On Saturday morning the Odyssey leadership team met and we agreed that our starting point is prayer. Each of the seven team members will be recruiting 12 people who in turn will recruit 12 people to pray at a specific time each day for God to lead and guide our Odyssey. We are asking people to commit to pray through the year 2010. You can email me or talk to one of the team members if you will make such a commitment.

Thanks for your prayers!

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

Building A Sending Church
Wednesdays, Jan. 31 & Feb. 7 at 7:00 pm
As we embark upon Odyssey 2010, Building A Sending Church, Dr. Van Gelder will help us understand trends in North America, changing contexts in which Central functions, factors contributing to the mission of Building A Sending Church, and the dynamics of change and development.
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SouperBowl Sunday, February 4
The youth from Central will be at the exits of the sanctuary with soup pots to receive your gifts to fight hunger in our community.  All gifts will go to CAER (Community Aid Elk River) to help feed the hungry in our community. 

Under the Overpass - Sunday, February 11
Mike Yankoski, author of "Under the Overpass," will speak at the 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45 worship services and again for a Community Forum on homelessness at 12:00 noon at Central.  Mike spent nearly a year as a homeless man on the streets of United States. His journey of faith of the streets of America rocked his world and perhaps could change your life.public is invited to come and hear his story.

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

24 Hour Men's Retreat
Feb. 9 & 10, 2007
Mike Yankoski, author of “Under the Overpass,” will be our guest speaker. $50 includes overnight lodging, breakfast, lunch and unlimited coffee and an excellent speaker. Leave 5:30 pm, return 5:30 pm.

Boot Hockey
Saturdays at 8:00 am, Handke Stadium on Main St. and Proctor.
All experience levels welcome. Ice is hard, come prepared.

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Adult Education
Beta
Sundays from 5:30 - 8:00 pm
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Crossways
Sundays at 9:30 & Tuesdays at 11:00 am
Guests are always welcome at Crossways!
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Snapshots of the Apocalypse 
Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:00 pm
Brighten up your winter weeks with Tuesday evening worship!  We are working through the last book of the Bible – Revelation! 

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Youth (High School)
Confirmation
Wednesdays at 6:30 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 - Returns
Sundays at 7:01 pm
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Work Crew Information Meeting
After SNL at 8:30 pm in the Yüth Rüm

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Youth (Middle School)
WyldLife
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the FLC
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The Studio
Wednesdays after school
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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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Acolyte Training 
Tuesday, February 6 or Wednesday, February 7 from 6:00-6:45pm in the sanctuary with Kelby Klimek.
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Children
Church School Project
We will need 200 empty frosting tubs and lids for a project in February.  If you can help, please drop them off in the church office.

Women
Women's Night Out
Hidden talents? We are looking for anyone interested in performing at the upcoming Women’s Night Out. Thursday April, 12th
If you have an idea or any interest please Contact Linda at 763-441-2465.

Small Group Studies  
In February two groups will be studying the book of Job using the study found in Lutheran Women Today.  One group will meet Tuesday, February 13, 9:00 am, in Rooms 210-211; Marlene Miller and Margaret Zanke, hostesses.  The other group will meet Thursday, February 15, 9:00 am, room 205, Rosie Glover, hostess.  These studies are open to all women.  Extra copies of LWT are available in the office.
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Jesus the One and Only
Thursdays at 6:45 pm, resuming Jan. 11/18
Even if you did not participate in the first half of Jesus the One Only, you are invited.
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Bible Study - 1 Peter
Thursdays at 11:00 am at Central

A Call to Grace
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm
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Friday Night Crafts & Fellowship
February 9, 6-10 pm, rooms 210-211.
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Caring
GriefShare
Saturdays at 8:00AM in the Lounge. GriefShare takes participants through the grief process.
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DivorceCare
DivorceCare, support for separated or divorced people, will begin its winter session on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7:00 to 8:30 in Room 126.
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Special Children, Special Parents
Tuesday evening, Jan. 30, 7:00 - 9:00PM in the Lounge.
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Befriender Ministry
Feb. 5 in Rooms 110/111, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
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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.

Next Meeting
Wednesday, February 7. 
The Social hour will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a Pot Luck lunch at 12:00 noon.  Please bring an item to share.  The program will feature Bill Hudson from WCCO-TV.  He will speak about his work as a special feature reporter. 

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Missions
Mexico Mission
We have over 80 footprints just waiting to be picked up.  Visit the table in the lobby and find out how you can make a child smile in Mexico.  If you would like to fill up a bag for a child, we have  Ziploc bags with a picture of a child, a set of foot prints and a list of items that can be placed in the bag. 

Tanzania Mission Trip Info Meeting
Sunday, February 25 at 12:00 noon in the Family Life Center.
You are invited to join Pastor Johansson and other members of Central on an educational mission trip to Tanzania during the last two weeks of October 2007. We will be traveling to and visiting the our partners in the Kibena Parish in Southern Tanzania. Please call the Church Office to RSVP.
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Faith in Action-Care Give Day Out Luncheon
Join us at St. Michael Catholic Church on February 1, 10:00-2:00pm for Lunch-Learning-Laughing.  A workshop for families, friends and healthcare providers.  For more information, 763-263-4277.