The Spirit is movin'!

Last night we had a great worship experience! The Holy Spirit used stories, art, video, prayer and song to lead us to the Cross! It is so fun to see and hear how the Spirit is Making Jesus Known in and through Central. God is Building A Sending Church! How is the Spirit working in your life?

Years ago I asked a group of High School youth to write a letter to God. We were on a retreat and considering the promise from Jeremiah; "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." God has a future for your life! God has a plan for our life at Central! What is our appropriate response?

We can all learn from Deb! Deb wrote the following letter to God;

Dear God,
I love you very much! Please take my life and..................................................................................
What followed was a blank space and at the bottom she signed......
With Much Love,
Deb

I asked her why her letter was blank. "I want the Lord to write the story of my life," she replied. To often we bring our thoughts, plans, opinions, ideas, etc., and we ask the Lord to bless them. Following Jesus is all about asking the Lord to give us his plans, opinions, ideas, etc.

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)

The Five Love Languages of Parenting
Wednesdays during Lent, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Are you equipped to love your son or daughter effectively? What about your teenager? Despite significant peer pressure, it is still parents who influence teens the most. And the door to that influence is love. Love is the most functional building block of parent-son/daughter relationships. According to Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the Five Love Languages, parents must learn to express their love in a language that makes sense. Some youth long for tender words, while others desire a gentle touch, a thoughtful gift, a kind deed or quality time spent together. What love language does your child speak?

Prayer
Wednesdays during Lent, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Do you feel like your spiritual life is missing something? Would you like to understand, experience and practice the many forms of prayer? Men and women are invited to join Sonja Dixon as together we delve into communing with the Creator of the universe.

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.
more...

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
click for more...

Tuesday Men's Prayer
Tuesdays at 6:30 am in the Sanctuary

Boot Hockey
Saturdays at 8:00 am, Handke Stadium on Main St. and Proctor.

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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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Managing Your Money
Sundays, 10:45 - 11: 45 beginning Feb. 25
Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm beginning Feb. 27
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Lent Opportunities
Parenting Class on the Five Love Languages
Wednesdays during Lent, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Are you equipped to love your son or daughter effectively? What about your teenager?
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Just Walk Across the Room
Wednesdays during Lent, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Have you ever wondered how to share your faith with others? Jesus didn't force faith on anyone. He had no memorized script or set of handouts...
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Prayer
Wednesdays during Lent, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Do you feel like your spiritual life is missing something? Would you like to understand, experience and practice the many forms of prayer? Men and women are invited to join Sonja Dixon as together we delve into communing with the Creator of the universe.

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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
Sunday at 7:01 pm.
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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
Wednesdays, 2:30-5:00 pm.
After school drop-in ministry for our neighborhood middle schoolers. To register, contact Ryan Braley.
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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
Camp Sunday
March 4, 2007 at 9:30 & 10:45 am in the Youth Room
Come and hear about camp this summer. The staff from Onomia will be here to share about camp. If you've been to Onomia before, wear your t-shirts and hats. Bring a friend who might want to go to camp with you. If you sign up by that day, you will get a reduced fee. If you went last year and bring a friend who has never been to Onomia, that friend gets to go for half price. What a deal! Find out about fund-raising that morning, too.

Story Time Central for Ages 3-5 - “Oh What a Miracle Am I”
Monday, March 5 from 10:00 -11:00 am or 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Through story, song and activity, learn about God's great design when He made YOU! An adult will need to accompany the child or children. Sign up on line, by calling Central Lutheran Church Office at 441-2363, or stop by the Welcome Center.

Women
Puttin’ on the Glitz - Women’s Night Out
Thursday, April 12 at the Rockwoods Event   Center.  Cost: $30/includes meal, dessert and entertainment.  Purchase your ticket in the church office.  Do you sing, dance or have an act you would like to showcase for the        program?  Leave your name and a description of the act at the office.

Small Group Studies  
In March three groups will be studying "God is with us in Our Suffering" using the study found in Lutheran Women Today (LWT). One group will meet Thursday, March 8, 9:00 am, room 205, Roberta Takle, hostess. The other groups will meet Tuesday, March 13. Mary will meet at 9:00 am, in Rooms 210-211, Jean Holt, hostess. Sarah will meet at Barb Overbye's home at 7:30 pm. These study groups are open to all women.
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Jesus the One and Only
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
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World Day of Prayer
Friday, March 2 at 12:00 pm.
Join women from throughout the area at Union Church and throughout the world in worship and prayer using the words of women of Paraguay. "United Under God's Tent" is the worship theme. A coffee hour will follow the worship service. Childcare is available. Union UCC, 1118 4th St.

Friday Night Crafts & Fellowship
March 9, 6-10 pm, rooms 210-211.
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Semi Silent Retreat
March 30-31
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Caring
GriefShare
Saturdays at 8:00AM in the Lounge. GriefShare takes participants through the grief process.
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DivorceCare
Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 in Room 126.
click for more...

Special Children, Special Parents
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Befriender Ministry
click for more...

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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
March is Minnesota Food Share Month
Saturday, March 3 there will be school buses are Coburns and Cub from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Please plan on purchasing non-perishable food items and bring to one of the buses. This is a great way to care for the hungry in our community. Let's do our part as the Central body! Let's help fill the SCHOOL BUS! Link to CWS

World Day of Prayer
Friday, March 2
A prayer service will take place on 12:00 noon at Union Congregational Church. The public is welcome!

Prayer Cubes
Are you looking for a creative way to start your family devotions?  The Jamaica Team has created colorful prayer cubes with prayers written by the Sunday/Tuesday church school children of   Central.  Just roll the cube and focus on the prayer or scripture that appears on the top of the cube.  The prayer cubes will be available for sell in the lobby today, following all three services.  Proceeds to Robin’s Nest Children’s Home.

Butter Braids
Order March 11, Pickup March 28
Have you been waiting ..... the time is here. Order your butter braids from the Mexico
Mission Team through March 11th for delivery on Wednesday March 28 just in time for all your Easter company. There will also be a sign up sheet in the office.

Mexico Mission Team Trip Presentation
Sunday, March 18 from 9:00 - 12:00
We invite you to join us as we share pictures, and stories from this years trip. Cake and Coffee will be served.