| Central Lutheran Church Christ Connect |
| A Message from Jeff Krogstad |
Many times I have sat with families while they plan the funeral of a loved one. One of the telling questions I often ask is, “Was there any part of the Bible you know was special to this person?” Once in a great while, a family responds, “Oh, yes – she loved to quote the verse about …” And they proceed to remember how their loved one quoted the Bible or lived by a certain verse. These families are pretty rare. When my father died in 2000, my siblings and I got together to plan his funeral. I knew this question would come up, and spent some time talking with them about what Bible reading we wanted for Dad’s funeral. Dad read the Bible, but never quoted it. He rarely talked about his faith at all. But there was no question that Dad knew Jesus and lived his life in relationship with Him. So in the end, we chose a few verses from the Sermon on the Mount that seemed to fit: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation upon the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). Through almost eighty years of life, Dad had lived with lots of storms. He farmed from the days of horse drawn mowing machines to the days of computerized tractors. He endured a Depression, a World War, the deaths of his parents, one brother, most of his friends, and his wife. He raised six children. Through all of that he lived a quiet life of doing what was right and honoring God through his work, his stewardship, and his worship. I had a conversation with him about a year before he died – one of the few times I asked him in concrete terms about his relationship with God. “You’ve been faithful for your whole life, as far as I can see,” I said. “How did that happen? What brought you to live your life as a Christian?” Dad told me the story of the day he and his brother Earl were confirmed. “Earl and I were confirmed together one Sunday morning during worship. After the service Mom pulled us aside and said, ‘This is important to me – you two boys stick with this.’ So we did.” Sometimes the greatest moment in life is not the day you win the award or you choose to take up a certain career. Sometimes the greatest moments in life are a simple matter of choosing which foundation to build on – choosing to be available to Jesus, to be used for his purposes. Jesus is the rock – the solid foundation – the firm basis for a life that has purpose and meaning. What foundation are you building on today? Come and worship this Sunday. Take an hour to consider whether the building of your life has a solid foundation. Invite Jesus to show you what it means to put his words into practice. See you in worship! |
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Sunday Worship
8:15 am - Traditions Traditional LBW (Lutheran Book of Worship) 9:30 am - Celebrations A Variety of Styles 10:45 am - Innovations Praise and Worship Service Tuesday 6:30 pm - Midweek 30 minute worship service |
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Crop Walk Elk River |
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Central Relay for Life Team Signup |
| My Story What is your story? Share with others how Christ has made an eternal difference in your life. Email your story to webmaster@clcelkriver.org and we will post your story in Christ Connect. |
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Maximum Impact Broadcast |
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Outdoor Worship Setup Team Meeting |
| Kingdom Assignment Update Has God given you a Kingdom Assignment? Would you like to update people on the progress? Then this is the spot for you. Email your Kingdom Assignment update to webmaster@clcelkriver.org and we will post your update in Christ Connect. |
Men
Tuesday Men's Prayer Men’s Boundary Waters Trip Canadian Fishing Trip Crossways - “The Preexilic and Exilic Prophets” Beginning Thursday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. A five week course on the Mystery of Marriage. Dr. Mark Johansson will share five secrets about the meaning of marriage that will radically change your understanding of marriage resulting in a more satisfying and committed Christian relationship with your spouse. Sign up in the Welcome Book or at the Welcome Center. ............................................ Youth (High School) JLO (Junior Leader Orientation) Crooked Creek Ranch - Summer High School Camp Salad Luncheon Fund-Raiser Castaway Club - Summer Middle School Camp 100 Dresses Book Club
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Women Friday Night Crafts & Fellowship Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study at Otsego Cafe! Women’s Spring Brunch The Three Day
Befriender Ministry Out of the Shadows ............................................ Seniors ............................................ Mission ............................................ CongregationOrdination Celebration for |
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Community McC's Community Meal Wednesdays from 5:00 - 6:30 pm at Central in the Family Life Center. 1st Wed - Pizza 2nd Wed - Taco in a Bag 3rd Wed - Hot Dogs 4th Wed - Sloppy Joes 5th Wed - Connie's Choice |
National Day of Prayer |